Norwegian ski leaping stars Lindvik and Forfang were suspended following critical allegations. Norway’s ski leaping scandal deepens: New FIS suspensions, secret pictures, and reputational fallout.
Credit score: Shutterstock, Marcin Kadziolka
Norway’s ski leaping dishonest scandal has taken a dramatic flip as additional main points emerge concerning the planned manipulation of jumpsuits on the International Championships.
Following our previous file, the Global Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has now provisionally suspended 3 Norwegian group officers and two athletes – Olympic champions Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang – as a part of an ongoing investigation.
How did they cheat?
FIS race director Sandro Pertile has now published that group officers secretly altered pre-approved fits to enhance aerodynamics. Further subject matter was once inserted – in particular within the crotch house – to extend floor house and make allowance athletes to drift additional during the air…
A whistleblower leaked secretly filmed pictures, which precipitated FIS inspectors to tear open the seams of the Norwegian fits, exposing the unlawful adjustments.
“It was once a particularly high-level manipulation,” Pertile advised Related Press (AP). “Completely by means of a long way the worst I’ve noticed in my 5 years on this function.”
He added that even a 5% build up in floor house may just considerably spice up bounce distance – giving Norwegian athletes an unfair merit.
Wider fallout for Norway
Norway, lengthy noticed as a bastion of truthful play, now unearths itself in an uncomfortable place. The similar federation that led the frenzy to prohibit Russian athletes after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine now faces its personal integrity disaster.
FIS secretary basic Michel Vion has vowed to go away “for sure” that the game stays blank, with officers seizing all Norwegian jumpsuits for additional exam.
In the meantime, Norway’s head trainer Magnus Brevig and gear supervisor Adrian Livelten admitted wrongdoing however insisted it was once a one-off offence. “We be apologetic about it like canine, and I’m extraordinarily sorry that this took place,” Brevig confessed at a press convention.
What occurs subsequent?
With the ski leaping International Cup season nonetheless ongoing, Norway’s most sensible two athletes stay banned from competing in Oslo this weekend.
FIS has now not dominated out re-examining all six Norwegian medals from the International Championships and may just doubtlessly strip the rustic of previous honours – together with Lindvik’s 2022 Olympic gold medal.
For now, ski leaping’s newest scandal has left enthusiasts questioning: was once this a one-off slip, or an indication of deeper rot within the game?
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