Ski jumping scandal: New card system after scales!

Ski jumping scandal: New card system after scales!

According to the current manipulation scandal at the Nordic Ski World Cup in Trondheim, the International Ski Association (FIS) has announced a new punishment for regular breakers in ski jumping. This scandal led to the suspension of five athletes and to discharge the material control Christian Kathol. To prevent future manipulations, the FIS introduces a card system based on the rules in football. In the event of a violation of a standard, especially when using a suit that is not corresponding to the regulations, a jum is punished with a yellow card. A second offense automatically results in a red card, which results in a lock for the respective competition or even for a whole weekend.

The team should also be warned with the new system: If an athlete is disqualified due to material offense, this has the disqualification of the entire team as a consequence. This regulation should apply from the upcoming world championships, but is expected to be not at the Olympic Games. The final approval of these measures is still pending and is expected at the FIS Congress on June 13th. In order to ensure compliance with the new provisions, the new warning system is already being worked on in the summer Grand Prix.

restrictions and controls

Another step to combat manipulations is the drastic reduction in suits for ski jumpers, which applies to the rest of the season. The FIS has decided that active athletes can only use a suit that is equipped with a chip and comes from the current quota. Replacement suits are only allowed with irreparable damage to the original suit. These measures were known in response to the manipulation scandal, in which the Norwegian association admitted that manipulations on the suits of two jumpers, Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang, took place before the big hill event.

The FIS will check the suits before the start of the competitions and collect between the events, so that the teams no longer have control over the suits. These strict controls are intended to ensure that no short -term changes to the suits can be made.

examinations and revelations

The independent ethics and compliance department of the FIS has initiated investigations into the incidents around the Norwegian athletes. Marius Lindvik, who originally won the silver medal, are affected, and Johann Andre Forfang, who took fifth place. Video recordings that are evaluated by the FIS show alleged manipulations on the suits of these jumper. Jörgen Graabak, a Nordic combiner, is also part of the examination.

In addition, there are always clear indications of a systematic problem within ski jumping: Daniel-André Tande, a former jumper, admits fraud during his career. He reports that many athletes have manipulated in the past. Last ski jumper such as Jacobsen and Evensen also confirm the repeated manipulation of the suits and throw the FIS of ignoring the visible signs. Tande states that manipulation of the suit material was determined by Norwegians in 2019 and suspected that other nations apply similar practices.