Norway's ski jumping program mired in scandal ahead of Olympics

Two Norwegian ski jumping coaches and the team's suit technician have been suspended for 18 months after making unapproved changes to the athletes' suits during the 2025 world championships.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation issued its ruling Thursday following nearly a year of investigation and litigation.

The federation had sought a tough punishment, and its enforcement panel adhered to the request.

"The Panel has considered but rejected the option of imposing a low or even minimal sanction on the Respondents," the ruling read. "In (the Panel's) view now is indeed the appropriate time to put down a clear marker to what is not acceptable in (ski jumping)."

Last March, the Nordic World Ski Championships were held in Trondheim, Norway, and the home country won three gold and three bronze medals. But after the athletes' suits had passed inspection, head coach Magnus Brevig and suit tech Adrian Livelten were seen on video making an unapproved modification that would allow the wearers to jump farther, The Athletic reported.

One of the suits belonged to Marius Lindvik, who won the gold medal in the large hill competition in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Assistant head coach Thomas Lobben later admitted to his role in the scheme, in which the suit of Johann Andre Forfang, a gold medalist in the mixed-team competition in the 2025 worlds, also was altered.

Forfang, who won two medals at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, and Linkvik each were suspended three months after stating they knew nothing about the modifications to their suits.

Heading into the Olympics in Italy next month, Forgang stands 16th on the World Cup circuit and Lindvik 18th. Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal is the top Norwegian in 14th place in the standings.

The coaches and Livelten already had been fired by the Norwegians. On Thursday, they also were fined about $6,200 for court costs.

They have 21 days to appeal their suspensions, which are retroactive to March 2025, to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Ski jumping competition runs Feb. 7-16 in Predazzo, Italy.

--Field Level Media