Ski Jumping Suit Scandal Triggers New Anti-Cheat Rules (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: You won't be able to tell just by looking at it, but there's something wrong with this skier's suit. So wrong in fact, it led to suspensions, bans and one of the biggest cheating scandals in ski jumping history. In this case, it all comes down to the crotch. In ski jumping, a bigger suit, even a couple of extra centimetres of fabric, can change how far you fly. Last year, five members of Norway's ski jumping team, two skiers and three members of staff, were suspended after officials uncovered tampered suits. The suits worn by Marius Lindvik and Johan-Andre Forfang had reinforced stitching added to the crotch area, making them stiffer, more aerodynamic and more stable in the air, which is considered, quote, equipment manipulation. Lindvik and Forfang denied any involvement, saying they didn't know that their suits had been manipulated. And the potential advantage is huge. One 2025 study found that adding just one centimetre of fabric to the suit could increase a jump by almost three metres. And in a sport decided by inches, that's massive. The scandal only came to light after a secretly filmed video was posted anonymously to YouTube by a whistleblower. Soon after, Norway's head coach, assistant coach and suit technician all admitted to cheating and were banned for 18 months, according to an official report. Lindvik, the reigning Olympic large heel champion and Forfang, a medalist in the team event from 2018, were not found to have known about the alterations, but they both still accepted three month bans and were allowed to return to compete this season. The fallout has reshaped the sport ahead of the upcoming Winter Olympics. New rules include advanced 3D body and suit measurements, redesigned suits that will be harder to tamper with and microchips embedded throughout the fabric that will be checked for any manipulation. There is also a new yellow and red card system with a red card meaning instant disqualification from the next event.