Norway's ski jumpers facing accusations and potential charges for suit manipulation in ski jumping events
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has formally charged Norway's Olympic gold medallist ski jumpers Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang, along with three team officials, with ethics and competition violations. The charges are related to equipment manipulation in the men's large hill event at the World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, in March.
The investigation centered on the men's large hill event, where Lindvik was disqualified and Forfang placed fourth after suspicions arose. Video evidence and confessions by team officials confirmed that the ski suits were illegally modified to improve aerodynamics, which violates FIS regulations requiring suit materials and fit to be standardized for fair competition.
Two coaches, including head coach Magnus Brevik, and a service staff member, aside from the two star athletes, were also charged. The case has heightened scrutiny on ski jumping suit regulations, increasing calls for stricter enforcement ahead of the coming Milano-Cortina Olympics.
Jan-Erik Aalbu, head of Norway's ski jumping team, expressed surprise at the FIS's decision to charge Lindvik and Forfang. He stated that there is no evidence indicating that the athletes were aware of the manipulation of their ski suits. The Norwegian Ski Federation disagrees with the FIS's assessment that there are grounds to bring a case against Lindvik and Forfang.
Magnus Brevik, then-head coach of the Norwegian team, Thomas Lobben, assistant coach, and Adrian Livelten, a service staff member, were also charged. Brevik and Livelten admitted to reinforcing the jumpsuit thread of Forfang and Lindvik, a violation of regulations. They apologized for modifying the jumpsuits that led to the initial suspensions.
The charges put Lindvik's gold medal and Norway's team bronze at risk. The FIS did not specify when its ethics committee would issue a ruling. Potential penalties include bans, fines, and disqualification of competition results, but no hearing dates or verdicts have been announced yet.
This is the latest and most comprehensive update on the situation as of August 2025. The Milano-Cortina Olympics are scheduled to start in six months' time. The accused members were provisionally suspended in March. Brevik and Livelten's actions, according to Aalbu, constitute cheating and trying to cheat the system, which is unacceptable.
[1] FIS Press Release: FIS Charges Norway's Olympic Ski Jumpers with Ethics and Competition Violations [2] Norwegian Ski Federation Press Release: Norwegian Ski Jumpers and Team Officials Faced with Ethics Charges [3] BBC News: Ski Jumping Scandal: Norway's Olympic Stars Charged with Cheating [4] The Guardian: Norway's Olympic Ski Jumpers and Team Officials Charged with Equipment Manipulation
Read also:
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Trump's enforcement actions in Washington D.C.: Insights from the political arena
- Aircraft collides with another one on the runway during landing at Montana airport, igniting flames
- UEFA under fire for post on Mohamed Salah's Palestinian contemporary's demise
