Ski jumping scandal: Norway's team of coaches after fraud!

Ski jumping scandal: Norway's team of coaches after fraud!

Trondheim, Norwegen - On May 22, 2025, the Norwegian Ski Association announced the dismissal of head coach Magnus Brevig, assistant coach Thomas Lobben and service employee Adrian Lively. This decision was confirmed by Ola Keul, the general secretary of the association. The trainers and the service staff were released by the association due to decisions during the World Championships in Trondheim. These decisions were considered incompatible with their roles in the national team. A severance payment agreement between Brevig and the association was made, but the content of which remains confidential.

The layoffs are in the context of a fraud scandal that was uncovered during the World Championships in Trondheim. During the final day of the ski jumping competitions on March 8, 2025, a video that shows a Norwegian material expert manipulated the jump suits. Head coach Brevig was identifiable. Experts confirmed that forbidden manipulations were carried out on the suits.

fraud scandal for manipulated suits

The Norwegian national team is accused of manipulated their suits to improve the flight characteristics. As a result, Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang were disqualified after their suits were cut open after jumping and a sewn -on, stiff ribbon was found. FIS race director Sandro Pertile described the incident as a "black day" for sport. The first suspenders followed immediately.

On March 11, 2025, the International Ski Association FIS moved in all the jump suits of the Norwegian ski jumper used at the World Cup, and on March 12, 2025, Lindvik and Forfang were suspended until further notice. The FIS also caused a tightening of the material rules, according to which every jumper can only have one suit that is available 30 minutes before and after competitions.

Investigations and consequences

While the FIS announced an official investigation, an independent ethics and compliance office was commissioned to investigate. These investigations led to suspension of other athletes such as Robin Pedersen, Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal and Robert Johansson. It remains to be seen which further consequences of the fraud scandal will have for the Norwegian ski association and its athletes.