Olympic gold medallists and coaches charged with ski suit tampering ahead of Winter Olympics
The charges follow an investigation into whether the team had tampered with ski suits at the world championships in Norway in March.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has confirmed that star ski jumpers Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang, two coaches and a member of the service staff were charged under ethics and competition rules after an investigation into 'equipment manipulation'.
Illegally modified suits could help athletes to fly further and it led to formal protests at the event from the Austria, Slovenia and Poland teams.
Lindvik's gold medal in the men's normal hill event at the world championships is now in doubt, along with Norway's bronze in the men's team event on the large hill.
Lindvik and Forfang, who were both in the team that took bronze, denied involvement but have been suspended by FIS for the rest of the season.
The allegations first emerged at the world championship event and were backed by video footage and quick confessions from the head coach and equipment manager, who said the suits were altered only before the men's large hill event.
'We regret it like dogs, and I'm terribly sorry that this happened,' head coach Magnus Brevik said at the time.
FIS said the investigation had since conducted 38 witness interviews and examined 88 pieces of evidence.
No one else will be charged in the case.
The timeframe for hearings into this case have not been released but if found guilty, the team members face bans, fines and disqualification of results.
The charges come six months out from the Winter Olympics in northern Italy where 27-year-old Lindvik was hoping to defend his Olympic title in the men's large hill event.
Forfang, now aged 30, took team gold on the large hill and individual silver on the normal hill at the 2018 Olympics held in South Korea.
It has prompted the governing body to tighten the rules around ski suits which has led to a number of disqualifications.
During the first event of the 2025-26 season on Saturday, six male ski jumpers were disqualified because of suit issues such as waist size and three more were 'not permitted to start'.
Another jumper from Japan was also blocked from competing the next day at the Grand Prix event in France.
FIS race director Sandro Pertile said it was "perfectly normal" for teams to need some time to adapt to the new changes to the equipment regulations.
'It's also important to highlight that these disqualifications are clearly a result of technical inadequacies — there's no sign whatsoever of ill intent from the teams,' he said.
FIS indicated it would remain rigorous in its checks throughout the Olympic season.
There have been several other high profile cheating scandals in recent history, which have rocked the international sporting community.
Three years ago, world chess champion Magnus Carlsen accused rival Hans Niemann of cheating.
The American grandmaster denied using a vibrating sex toy to cheat during a huge legal row between the two players which settled for $100 million (£74.2 million).
In 2018, the Australian cricket team was involved in a ball-tampering scandal.
Players Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft received bans for their roles in altering the condition of the ball with sandpaper in the Cape Town Test against South Africa.Several other high-profile people in Australian cricket quit over the scandal and a review into Cricket Australia's culture found the organisation was arrogant.
Bloodgate was a rugby union scandal that involved English team Harlequins in 2009 when it took on Irish side Leinster.
Player Tom Williams used a fake blood capsule to trigger a substitution and get Nick Evans back on the pitch.
In April 1980, Rosie Ruiz was crowned winner of the women's division of the Boston Marathon.
But she was stripped of her title eight days later when it was revealed she had not run the entire course.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
GB set up flag football quarter-final with Austria
Great Britain's women's flag football team will face Austria in the quarter-finals of the World Games after completing their group campaign on followed up their opening win on Thursday by beating Japan 26-24 in the first of their two Friday matches, then losing 34-13 to defending champions meant Mexico topped Group B, so face the fourth-placed team in Group A - hosts China - while runners-up Britain face third-placed tournament in Chengdu is seen as crucial for the GB team's development before flag football makes its Olympic debut at Los Angeles World Games is a global multi-sport event showcasing sports not currently on the Olympic qualified for the first time after securing seventh place at last year's Flag Football World Championships and are ranked fifth in the world, just behind Austria. Japan are ranked third and beat Britain 40-34 in the quarter-finals of the Worlds, but that defeat was avenged on Friday. GB held on for a narrow win, with quarterback Jessica Allen making four touchdown European champions led 20-12 at half-time after Grace Conway scored twice, either side of a Hannah Elliott Mathews scored to keep GB clear in the second half and although Japan also finished with four touchdowns, they failed to add the extra point on each twice went in front in their final group game, with Allen making touchdown passes to Elliott and Emily Kemp, but Mexico led 14-13 at half-time and finished with five touchdowns - all from Diana Flores winner of GB's quarter-final with Austria will face the USA or Italy in the knockout and ranking games are played on Saturday and Sunday. World Games flag football quarter-finals All start times Saturday, BST:USA v Italy (01:30)Great Britain v Austria (04:10)Winners meet in semi-final at 08:00Canada v Japan (02:50)Mexico v China (05:30)Winners meet in semi-final at 09:20
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Scotland's only female basketball pundit is PE teacher aiming for the Olympics
Rather than taking the traditional coaching path after retiring from the Caledonia Gladiators, former pro player Rona Lightbody chose a lesser-travelled route for former players - sports commentary. From the basketball court to the commentary booth, Rona Lightbody is far from your average PE teacher. And now, the former professional basketball player turned commentator is on a mission to raise the profile of the women's sport across the UK in her role commentating on games on BBC and DAZN. The Glasgow-based mother, who retired from East Kilbride-based Caledonia Gladiators in 2023, is now championing the game from the sidelines, having become Scotland's only professional female basketball commentator. Rona began her career with amateur club St Mirren but spent the majority of her playing time with the Lady Rocks, which made space for what is now Caledonia Gladiators - Scotland's only professional basketball franchise. As a skilful and determined player, known for her tenacious playing style, her career took her to Spain to play for Reus Ploms followed by a stint in London before she eventually returned home to Scotland in 2019. After becoming pregnant in 2023, half-way through her first professional season with Caledonia Gladiators, Rona made the decision to step away from competitive sport. Rather than taking the traditional coaching path, she chose a lesser-travelled route for former players - sports commentary. She has commentated on over 50 professional games and has worked for both the BBC and streaming site DAZN. Rona is now setting her sights set on broadcasting at the Commonwealth Games, and possibly even the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She said: 'What started out as a hobby and a way to pass time during lockdown has turned into an actual career opportunity. I would love to be involved in the Commonwealth Games and potentially even the Olympics, representing Scotland as our only female basketball broadcaster. 'Commentating on basketball isn't like a football game. It's much more fast-paced, and there is an art to picking the moment to highlight. Having played for 25 years, I know the game incredibly well, so I am able to pinpoint the aspects which are the most exciting to spectators. 'Preparation is key. You've got to know your stats, your player stories, and be ready to narrate the flow of the game in real-time. And there's a lot more pressure when commentating on the men's game, as people naturally view female commentators differently in the context of men's sports.' Rona first found a passion for broadcasting during Covid when she was asked to commentate on Caledonia Pride games by Lisa Palombo, head of professional teams at Caledonia Gladiators, to help promote the game. With basketball's popularity rising and women's sport gaining unprecedented visibility, she believes there's a collective responsibility to champion the game's benefits. She said: 'Rome wasn't built in a day, but we have seen so many positive developments in women's basketball in recent years, and Caledonia Gladiators have been instrumental in making the game accessible beyond the school system. 'The game has been such a big part of my life for 25 years, and I feel a responsibility to do my part to increase the visibility of the benefits it can bring to a community. 'In sport the focus is often on the attracting the youth to sustain growth, but there is also a responsibility to ensure we don't lose experience. When players move on, they often disappear from the game, and that loss of knowledge weakens the ecosystem. 'Coaching isn't the only path; there are so many other ways you can stay involved in the game.' As both a commentator and PE teacher, Rona is passionate about inspiring young people to stay active and engaged with sport. Rona went on: 'I see first-hand the impact sport has on young people, physically, mentally, and socially. It builds confidence, teamwork, and communication. Basketball, in particular, is a great school sport because it's so accessible especially with the growth of 3x3, but I'd love to see more people stick with it beyond school. 'Having Caledonia Gladiators in Scotland really is crucial for developing the game, and they have done a fantastic job in developing the game-experience for fans.' Earlier this year, Caledonia Gladiators became the first women's basketball team in Scotland to attract over 1000 fans to a home game. The historic milestone came just weeks after they secured major silverware, winning the Super League Basketball Trophy Final in January 2025. Lisa Palombo said: 'Rona is a shining example of the opportunities sport can provide women on and off the court. She was always a headstrong player that took everything on with gusto and she has carried that same natural flair she had for playing into commentary. "She was always willing to put her all into the first step without knowing what would come next. We're lucky to have her advocating for the sport and supporting the club in such a powerful way.'
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Rebecca Adlington in heartbreaking admission after baby loss and split from husband
Rebecca Adlington in heartbreaking admission after baby loss and split from husband The two-time Olympic champion and Team GB icon has opened up on a 'devastating' time in her life Adlington has opened up on suffering two devastating miscarriages Former Team GB swimming hero Rebecca Adlington has opened up on the immense heartbreak she experienced after going through two devastating miscarriages. The 36-year-old - who shot to fame as a teenager by winning two gold medals in the pool at the 2008 Beijing Olympics - is now a mother of two, but she and husband Andy Parsons have also experienced tragedy in their efforts to raise a family together, with the swimmer suffering two miscarriages just a year apart. The first occurred in 2022 and was discovered during a hospital visit for her 12-week scan, with Adlington requiring emergency surgery and treatment for sepsis and a kidney infection in what she told her Instagram followers was a "devastating time". However, there would be more heartbreak just a year later as she suffered another miscarriage at 20 weeks pregnant, with her daughter Harper stillborn in October 2023. At the time, the "truly heartbroken" couple released a statement saying they would "forever love" their daughter, with Adlington writing: "I don't really have the words right now but unfortunately we went for our 20-week scan this week and they found no heartbeat "I gave birth to our angel, Harper, on Friday at 7pm. We held her, and had time with her. We will forever love her and remember her always. I don't have the strength or words right now and don't feel ready to share this news Article continues below "However, I can't pretend to be ok or fake a smile. I can't have people ask me how pregnancy is or when I am due as I still look pregnant. I don't have the strength to tell this news individually," she added. "We are so truly heartbroken. Our beautiful girl. Rest in peace." Adlington has now opened up on the heartbreaking losses during an appearance on This Morning, explaining how she cried for days following the loss of Harper and began to "hate" her body in the aftermath. "We were a mess," said the former Olympic champion as she appeared on the ITV show alongside her husband. "I could not stop crying for three days. I couldn't process it. "As a woman, you blame yourself, the guilt, what have I done? There was no rhyme or reason. I followed every single rule you get told to do. You can't help but feel it's your responsibility." "I was angry at my body, my body let me down," Adlington added. "I had no symptoms, that was really hard to get over. The fact you give birth and the baby isn't alive and you go home and look in the mirror as a woman and still look 20 weeks pregnant... It's incredibly hard. I hated my body." The Team GB icon now shares son Albie, four, with Parsons, while she is also mum to daughter Summer, 10, from her relationship with ex-husband Harry Needs. It is now 17 years since Adlington burst onto the scene and became a household name at the age of 19, with her wins in the 400m and 800m freestyle races seeing her become the first woman to win swimming gold for Team GB in nearly 50 years, as well as the first British swimmer to win more than one gold medal at a single Olympics in a century. The Mansfield swimmer went on to add Commonwealth, European and World Championship golds to her tally, as well as two bronze medals at the London Olympics in 2012, while she has gone on to have a successful career in punditry with the BBC and tried her hand at reality TV, starring on shows including I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, Celebrity MasterChef and The Jump. However, while she has experienced career success, Adlington's personal life has seen her go through some difficult times of late, having split from her first husband and received a life-changing diagnosis either side of her heartbreaking miscarriages. Adlington married Needs in 2014, five years after they met as young professional swimmers, and they welcomed their daughter Summer less than a year later. However, the following year, their 18-month marriage came to an "amicable" end, with a statement from the couple reading: "It's after much thought and sadness that we confirm our separation. It is on amicable terms and we still remain close friends. "We move forward with respect for one another and our focus and commitment is on parenting our gorgeous daughter Summer." Four years later, Needs publicly came out as bisexual, explaining that he had "never had the time to explore his sexuality fully" before his marriage to Adlington. Admitting that this caused him to suffer with anxiety and depression, the personal trainer told GuysForYou: "I didn't say a thing. For me personally, my journey with Rebecca was a destination to love. "I think as an unconfident bisexual man it was extremely difficult back then to admit it even to myself, especially considering I had zero experience with the same sex. Once I knew I loved Rebecca, I was committed to that relationship and its journey for the rest of my life." Explaining how Adlington supported him after he came out to her a year after they separated, he added: "I never felt I deceived her, because I loved her and like I already said, I never had the time to discover my full sexuality." Adlington went on to find love with facilities manager Parsons, with the pair dating for three years after meeting on dating site Bumble, before tying the knot in 2021. Earlier this year, the Olympic champion won widespread praise after revealing that she had been diagnosed with coeliac disease, an auto-immune condition in which your immune system attacks your own tissues when you eat gluten, causing damage to the small intestine and causing symptoms including stomach pains, bloating, indigestion, constipation, fatigue and diarrhoea. Sharing her diagnosis in a video on Coeliac UK's Instagram page, Adlington urged ollowers to support the "vital" cause for gluten-free prescriptions, in order for those with the condition to be able to manage it appropriately. Article continues below Making an appeal to followers to sign a petition to avoid these prescriptions being cut, she said: "Hello everyone. As someone newly diagnosed with coeliac disease, I have definitely quickly learnt how vital gluten-free prescriptions are for managing this condition. "But in some areas, these prescriptions are totally being cut. Coeliac UK is handing a petition to Number 10 to make sure we're heard, so please sign and share the petition today." The petition received a remarkable 22,826 signatures and was delivered to Downing Street earlier this year.
