Olympic sport struck by 'penis-gate' chaos as athletes accused of cheating rules

In an Olympic sport determined by distance, some athletes are reportedly going to extraordinary lengths to gain an extra few inches - and that's before they've even launched themselves off the ramp. With just weeks remaining until the Winter Olympics in Italy, ski-jumping has been engulfed by 'penis-gate', with athletes allegedly believing bigger is better by injecting their private parts, according to German outlet Bild.

The report suggests 3D scanner measurements for the crotch region of their jumpsuits are taken from the lowest point of the athlete's manhood - meaning any additional growth could provide a competitive edge before they even take flight. Consequently, when launching, the surface area of the athlete becomes considerably larger, which enhances the likelihood of a superior jump. And it's this revelation that has reportedly prompted some athletes to inject hyaluronic acid into a silicone condom-like apparatus worn beneath their trousers.

However, Halvor Egner Granerud, a Norwegian ski jumper, was incensed by the allegations when approached by Dagbladet. "Rune Velta [Norwegian coach] came into the locker room before the qualifiers and said: 'You have to be prepared for questions about penis injections'.

"I have to admit that I thought it was nonsense. No, I've never heard of it until today. When I took my measurements, it was with a doctor who examined me to make sure I didn't have a fake penis."

He continued: "I assume they are speculating about something like the body scan before the season. And it's true: It's better to be warm and comfortable than a little cold when measuring. That could be true, he says."

Norwegian officials have previously acknowledged tampering with competition suits during a World Cup event in Trondheim last year, where they incorporated reinforced threading into the garments designed to enhance aerial performance.

Jan-Erik Aalbu, the federation's general manager, was forthright in his assessment: "The way I consider this...we have cheated," adding: "We have tried to cheat the system. That is unacceptable."