Norway ski jumpers face ethics charges

Two Olympic gold medalists and three staffers on Norway's men's ski jumping team face ethics charges after a probe into alleged suit modifications at the world championships.

Norway ski jumpers charged in equipment manipulation scandal

Two Olympic gold medalists Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang, along with three staffers on Norway's men's ski jumping team, have been charged with ethics violations by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation following an investigation into alleged equipment manipulation at the Nordic world championships. The federation says the probe included 38 witness interviews and 88 pieces of evidence. The alterations involved increasing the size of suits that were pre-approved and microchipped by FIS, a detail documented during the investigation. Protests from Austria, Slovenia and Poland followed the revelations. Lindvik and Forfang denied involvement in March and were disqualified from the individual large hill event and suspended for the rest of the season.

Admissions of guilt were later made by head coach Magnus Brevik and equipment manager Adrian Livelten, who said the suits were altered only before the men’s large hill event. The case will be decided by three ethics panel members and a verdict is expected no later than 30 days after the hearing process concludes. If found guilty, the athletes could face bans, fines or disqualification. The Nordic worlds were a lead up to the next Winter Olympics, which adds pressure on everyone involved and raises questions about how the sport polices itself and protects fair play.

This case tests the core integrity of a sport that blends precision, risk and national pride. The involvement of two star athletes alongside coaches and staff suggests a systemic pressure to gain even a small aerodynamic edge. If proven, penalties could extend beyond individuals to affect team reputation and future funding. The timing ahead of the Winter Olympics amplifies the stakes for Norwegian sport and for regulators who must demonstrate they will enforce rules even when the subjects are powerful figures.

Beyond the immediate penalties, the episode could spark broader reforms in how equipment is tested and audited. Regulators may accelerate rule tightening and transparency, while teams will need to rebuild trust with athletes, sponsors and fans. The fracture lines here are not just about one controversy, but about the standards that keep a sport honest when success rides on every millisecond.

Highlights

The outcome will shape how the sport balances ambition with accountability.