Crotchgate Scandal: Norwegian Olympics Skiers Marcus Lindvik & Johann Andre Forfang Caught Using Illegal Suits

Officials from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) found violations in the suits of Olympic skiers Marcus Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang in 2025.

Their suits were found to have an extra centimeter of fabric in the crotch area. The FIS regulates that ski jumpers must wear tight-fitting suits that are no larger than four centimeters larger than their body measurements. Research has shown that adding just a centimeter of fabric to the crotch area can increase flight distance by nine feet. 

Lindvik and Forfang both represent Norway in the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Several Norwegian coaches have received 18-month suspensions from international skiing and snowboarding competitions, including the Olympics.

Lindvik and Forfang have been cleared for competition for Milan.  

There’s been a history of cheating in skiing since at least the 1970s. Austrian suit designers made suits that allowed less air to pass through. The FIS quickly passed regulations on this practice, but Austria and several other countries still tried to make these suit modifications. 

Suit measurement regulations were previously handled manually. American skier Ben Berend said this process was extremely awkward, saying a metal rod moved up throughout the athlete’s body, including the athlete’s crotch area.

In 2023, the FIS began allowing 3D scanners to perform measurements. However, to prevent cheating, they also started doing “visual crotch area inspections.” These inspections are done by neutral doctors or nurses. 

Jens Weissflog, a former German Olympic champion, called suit manipulation “doping, but with a different needle.” 

The FIS hired new equipment control coordinators and implemented other reforms in response to this scandal.

Lindvik competed in three events in the 2026 Winter Olympics. He helped Norway finish with a silver medal in the ski jumping mixed team event. Forfang has competed in two events so far, men’s normal hill individual ski jumping and men’s large hill individual ski jumping.