Size does matter: Olympic ski jumpers face shock genital doping claims

A bizarre controversy at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics sees the World Anti-Doping Agency investigating whether ski jumpers were injecting their genitals with hyaluronic acid to fly higher.

This follows unconfirmed reports that jumpers were injecting the substance before being measured for their suits.

While hyaluronic acid is not a banned substance, it can be used to increase penis circumference by one or two centimetres.

Ivan Ruthven Bruijns, Director of Rocket Science Sports Sub-Saharan Africa, explained that in ski jumping, the suit's aerodynamics play a crucial role in determining the athlete’s distance.

A small increase in fabric, even a square centimetre, can make a significant difference in performance.

“In this case, size does matter. It is plausible. In elite sports, athletes chase millimetres and milliseconds, so people will explore anything that creates an edge.

“If a sport where a few centimetres can decide medals, everyone is paying attention to these measurements. It is good humour, but there is a serious take on it as well,” he said.

To listen to Bruijns in conversation with CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit, click the audio player below: