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The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has pledged to investigate claims of “acid injection” manipulation as the Olympic Winter Games officially begin in Milano-Cortina on Friday.
The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday was marked by audible boos from the crowd as delegations from the US and Israel entered the San Siro stadium.
WADA confirmed it will look into allegations that some ski jumpers competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics used “hyaluronic acid” to gain an advantage.
WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said during a press conference in Milano that he was not familiar with the specifics of ski jumping or how such a method could improve performance.
“I’m not aware of the details of ski jumping and how this can improve performance, but if anything were to come to the surface, we would look at anything if it is actually doping-related,” Niggli said.
Niggli stressed that WADA does not regulate all forms of performance enhancement but said the agency’s list committee would examine whether the practice could fall under doping-related categories.
“We don’t do other means of enhancing performance, but our list committee would certainly look into whether this would fall into this category,” he said.
He added that he had not heard about the allegations before they were mentioned.
According to Bild, ski jumpers reportedly use hyaluronic acid injected into their suits to enhance lift by increasing aerodynamic efficiency.
The report claimed the method works by expanding the body’s surface area in the groin region, allowing athletes to glide farther.
As the space in that area increases, extra surface area is created, which can positively affect flight by slowing descent speed while maintaining forward momentum, potentially giving extra distance.
Hyaluronic acid is described as a sticky and slippery acid naturally produced by the body, forming long molecular chains that act as a buffer and lubricant in joints and tissues.
Concerns over ski suit modifications are not new.
At the 2025 World Championships in Norway, Olympic medalists Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang received a three-month ban for reinforcing the crotch seams of their ski suits to create extra lift.
The Norwegian Ski Federation insisted it was unaware of the deliberately altered suits but suspended head coach Magnus Brevig and equipment manager Adrian Livelten.
Lindvik and Forfang are set to compete in the ski jumping event at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Monday.
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