Norway's Ski Team Admits "Cheating The System" With Manipulated Suits At World Championships

A scandal has rocked the 2025 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships as the Norwegian ski jumping team admitted to manipulating their athletes' suits in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage. The admission follows the disqualification of two prominent Norwegian athletes during the men's large hill event.

Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang were disqualified after officials discovered their suits had been altered with reinforced thread, a clear violation of FIS equipment regulations.

"The support system has explained that, on Friday, they chose to put a reinforced thread in the jumpsuit of Forfang and Lindvik," stated Jan-Erik Aalbu, the general manager of the Norwegian Ski Federation, during a press conference. "This was done knowing that this is not within the regulations, but with a belief that it would not be discovered by FIS' equipment controller. The way I consider this, we have cheated. We have tried to cheat the system. That is unacceptable."  

Aalbu emphasized that the manipulated suits were used only during the men's large hill event.  

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) confirmed the disqualifications, stating that the athletes' suits "were not in compliance with the equipment rules." The FIS Independent Ethics and Compliance Office has now launched an investigation into the matter.

Both Lindvik and Forfang have expressed their shock and disappointment, claiming they were unaware of the suit alterations.

"These World Championships were supposed to be a week of dreams, but instead, they ended in tragedy," Forfang stated on his Instagram account. "It is important for me to emphasize that I was never aware that my suit had been manipulated." Lindvik echoed these sentiments, calling the situation a "nightmare."

The scandal has cast a shadow over the championships, which had otherwise been marked by impressive performances, including Johannes Høsflot Klæbo's unprecedented six victories in cross-country events and Frida Karlsson's victory in the womens 50 kilometer cross country race.

In a statement, skiing global governing body FIS said that Lindvik and Forfang were disqualified “following an inspection of their jumping suits, which were not in compliance with the equipment rules.”

It added: “The FIS Independent Ethics and Compliance Office is now investigating a suspicion of illegal manipulation of the equipment by the Norwegian team.”

The FIS investigation will determine the extent of the Norwegian team's involvement and potential further disciplinary actions. The incident has sparked widespread discussion about integrity and fair play in competitive sports.