Norwegian Olympic gold medalist ski jumpers accused of gear manipulation in a deceptive scheme, caught on camera in an equipment cheating scandal.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has officially charged five members of the Norwegian ski jumping team, including Olympic gold medalists Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang, with ethics violations related to deliberate equipment manipulation at the 2025 World Championships [1][2][3][5].
The charges stem from an investigation by the FIS Independent Ethics and Compliance Office (IECO) which concluded that the group knowingly altered the size of their ski jumping suits beyond the limits approved and microchipped by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The alterations, especially around the crotch area of the suits, were documented on secretly filmed footage and confirmed by physically examining the suits. The aim of these modifications was to gain a competitive advantage, violating FIS rules [1][2][3].
The five individuals being charged are Marius Lindvik (athlete), Johann André Forfang (athlete), Magnus Brevig (coach), Thomas Lobben (assistant coach), and Adrian Livelten (suit technician) [2][3]. The charges were signed off by the FIS ruling council.
The investigation also explored whether the conspiracy involved other athletes or staff, if similar violations occurred in the past, and the possibility of the scheme spreading to other teams, but no charges have extended beyond the five named individuals or Norway’s National Ski Association itself [2][3].
Regarding potential punishments, the FIS has recently introduced a stricter card system for equipment violations: an initial violation earns a yellow card, subsequent violations a red card, leading to suspension from the next event and the loss of quota spots for the athlete’s nation in World Cup competitions. Although this system is mostly for future infractions, it outlines the kind of sanctions that the Norwegian athletes and staff could face if found guilty by the Ethics Committee. This includes suspensions and disqualifications [4].
The FIS has already tightened equipment rules for the 2025-26 season, including stricter regulations on suit measurements designed to prevent such manipulations going forward [4].
The hearings and verdicts for this case have no set timetable. The case will be judged by three members of the ethics panel, and verdicts must be reached no later than 30 days after the hearing process is concluded [1][3].
The allegations emerged on the final weekend in Trondheim and shook the tight-knit communities of ski jumping and Norwegian sports. The Olympics in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo next year may be affected by the charges against Lindvik and Forfang [6].
Illegally modified ski suits can help athletes fly further with more aerodynamic resistance [7]. The manipulation took place before the men's large hill event at the 2021 Nordic worlds, and the manipulation involved reinforced thread in the jumpsuits of Lindvik and Forfang [1][2][3].
In March, Lindvik and Forfang were disqualified from the individual large hill event and suspended by FIS for the rest of the season. They both denied involvement in March [8]. The manipulation was captured on secretly filmed footage and led to formal protests from the Austria, Slovenia, and Poland teams [1].
| Individual(s) | Charge | Status | Potential Punishments | |-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | Marius Lindvik (athlete) | Ethics violations (equipment manipulation) | Charged; awaiting Ethics Committee verdict | Possible suspension, event bans, loss of quota spots | | Johann André Forfang (athlete) | Same as above | Same as above | Same as above | | Magnus Brevig (coach) | Violations of ethics and competition manipulation rules | Charged; awaiting verdict | Possible suspension, bans from involvement in FIS events | | Thomas Lobben (assistant coach) | Same as above | Same as above | Same as above | | Adrian Livelten (suit technician) | Same as above | Same as above | Same as above |
No charges have been made against the Norwegian National Ski Association or other team members [2][3].
This case is ongoing, with formal adjudication expected soon. The FIS is actively improving equipment controls to prevent recurrence [1][4].
The charges for ethics violations in the sports context, specifically equipment manipulation, ongoing against the Norwegian ski jumping team individuals Marius Lindvik, Johann André Forfang, Magnus Brevig, Thomas Lobben, and Adrian Livelten, follow an investigation by the FIS Independent Ethics and Compliance Office. Potential punishments, should they be found guilty by the Ethics Committee, could result in suspensions, event bans, and loss of quota spots for their nation in World Cup competitions.
The investigation further explored potential involvement of other athletes or staff, similar past violations, and the spread of such schemes to other teams, but no additional charges have been made beyond the named individuals or Norway’s National Ski Association.
