MILANO ― The three ski jumpers on the United States men’s Olympic team had something on their minds other than their the 2026 Winter Games competition that starts Monday at 11:30 a.m. ET.
They also were thinking about so-called ‘PenisGate,’ rumors that ski jumpers have gotten penis-enlarging injections of hyaluronic acid to increase the distance of their jumps. U.S. Ski said it was all ‘wild rumor,’ and the World Anti-Doping Agency said it will investigate to see if there is any evidence.
All three U.S. ski jumpers were adamant they’re not doing it. But they didn’t rule out competitors getting the injections.
‘It is difficult to say if it’s something that has been done or if people are doing,’ said Jason Colby, a 19-year-old based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado who will be competing in his first Olympics. ‘And I guess that, scientifically speaking, it could work. But who knows what other teams are doing behind closed doors.’
Kevin Bickner, who competed at the Winter Olympics in 2018 and 2022, told USA TODAY Sports he thinks the use of injections “certainly is possible.’
‘But I don’t think that this is a problem in the sport,’ said Bickner, a 29-year-old native of the Chicago area. ‘I’ve never heard of anyone doing this. Definitely no one on (Team USA) is doing this.
‘We’re close with several countries on the circuit. As far as I know, none of them are doing it. If it was to be done, it would be… a one- or two-people type of thing. And I guess, theoretically, there is a way for it to happen.’
Tate Frantz, a 20-year-old born in Lake Placid, New York and the third member of the team, told USA TODAY Sports, ‘Can’t speak for any other teams … but who knows what other teams are doing behind closed doors.’
What is it about the crotch?
The head coach and assistant coach of the Norway men’s team were suspended 18 months for their role in manipulating suits at the 2025 Nordic ski world championships.
In all cases, the attempt to enlarge the suit had taken place in the crotch area – the same area that would be targeted by penis-enlarging injections.
‘It’s definitely the spot on a suit that can make the biggest difference,’ Bickner said. ‘So there is a lot of emphasis on trying to make that part of your equipment as efficient as possible. But I think there are methods that most people would come up with before deciding that they wanted to inject themselves with something.’
Having an enlarged crotch is would create an advantage, according to Frantz.
‘It’s more of a question of, is an actual injection a way that somebody has done this?’ Frantz said. “And that’s what I’m unable to answer or really still am uncertain of myself.’
Wanted or unwanted attention?
None of the jumpers expressed resentment about the rumored injections generating a lot more attention than the competition.
‘It’s been a funny thing to watch go down,’ Bickner said. ‘It might not be the greatest thing to get attention for, but I’ve noticed a lot more people in America paying attention to ski jumping, which is cool.
‘So we’re excited to represent our country. We’re excited to have eyes on us now, and hopefully we can put this weirdness behind us and have people focus more on the sport because it’s a really cool sport and we want to represent it well.’