
Ski jumping-Norwegians admit to cheating at World Ski Championships
TRONDHEIM, Norway, March 9 (Reuters) - Norway's ski jumping team deliberately cheated by using manipulated jumpsuits at the Nordic World Ski Championships, where two of their competitors were disqualified during Saturday's ski jumping event, the Norwegian Ski Federation said on Sunday.
Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang were disqualified from the men's large hill competition, while Joergen Graabak was also disqualified from Friday's Nordic Combined team event, but this was related to his bindings.
"The support system has explained that on Friday, they chose to put a reinforced thread in the jumpsuit of Forfang and Lindvik," Norway Ski Federation general manager Jan-Erik Aalbu told a press conference.
"This was done knowing that this is not within the regulations, but with a belief that it would not be discovered by FIS's equipment controller.
"The way I consider this. We have cheated. We have tried to cheat the system. That is unacceptable."
Lindvik had finished second but was denied the silver medal following his disqualification after an equipment inspection, along with compatriot Forfang who had finished fourth.
Race director Sandro Pertile said afterwards that they had received information prior to the event about possible manipulations of the suits, and had also received an official protest from three nations.
The organisers found nothing untoward during the initial check, but after the race they discovered different material in the seams.
Earlier on Sunday, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) said that their Independent Ethics and Compliance Office had begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disqualifications.
"I welcome the fact that FIS is now also opening an investigation. And of course, we will cooperate fully with them," Aalbu said.
Lindvik had earlier won gold in the normal hill event, and was also part of the mixed team which won the large hill while the Norwegian women won the normal hill. Aalbu said their cheating was related only to Saturday's event.
"There is no indication that this form of manipulation has been used earlier in the season, or in this championship," he said.
"I have been working again with the support system last night and throughout the day, that this was only, if you can use that word, two suits. Saturday's competition, and nothing earlier in the championship.
"I would like to use the situation to underline the seriousness of this matter. We have cheated.
"I would therefore like to apologise on behalf of the ski jumping camp to the other nations, the audience, everyone who has met at the arena, FIS and to the organisers."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Reuters
5 hours ago
- Reuters
Women's Super League had record revenues in 2023-24 season
MANCHESTER, England, June 9 (Reuters) - Revenues for Women's Super League (WSL) clubs climbed by 34% to hit 65 million pounds ($88.2 million) for the first time during a record-breaking 2023-24 season, according to analysis from the Deloitte Sports Business Group. Each of the 12 WSL clubs generated over one million pounds in revenue for the first time, with increases in commercial and match-day revenues contributing to significant growth across the league. Deloitte is forecasting WSL clubs' total revenue will reach 100 million pounds in the 2025-26 season following the Women's European Championship next month in Switzerland. Revenues climbed from 48 million pounds in the 2022-23 season, an increase driven by growth in commercial revenue, which now accounts for 40% of WSL clubs' total revenue. The 2023-24 season came after England finished runners-up to Spain in the 2023 Women's World Cup. "Women's football in England is evolving rapidly," Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group, said in a statement. "While challenges remain, it is clear there is potential for a passionate and engaged fan base to drive the game's development. "Capitalising on major international tournaments is important at specific points in time, but sustainable growth hinges on the domestic league's organic development." The increases were driven mainly by four clubs, with Arsenal (15.3 million), Chelsea (11.5), Manchester United (9.2) and Manchester City (6.6) accounting for about two thirds of the money made across the league. ($1 = 0.7368 pounds)


Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Scotsman
Hearts transfer latest as striker turns a top target and Daniel Arzani objective emerges
Here are some of your latest Hearts transfer headlines over what the Jambos could look to do this summer. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hearts have been busy in the summer transfer window so far and they look set to continue shopping. Backed by Jamestown Analytics, new head coach Derek McInnes has added Oisin McEntee to his squad as the latest recruit. He comes after the arrival of Alexandros Kyziridis, Elton Kabangu's loan being made permanent and Christian Borchgrevink, but he is not set to be the last. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Wingers are on the agenda with Daniel Arzani wanted after form at Melbourne Victory, and Islam Chesnokov could possibly be on his way to Tynecastle too. Here are some of the latest headlines when it comes to Hearts transfer news. Striker turns a top Hearts transfer target Portuguese forward Claudio Braga is wanted by Hearts this summer, the Evening News understands. Forward options are an area in which the club want to strengthen and it's understood that the forward currently with Aalesund in the Norwegian second tier is a top target. Last season, he had nine goals and seven assists in 29 league games and nine games into this campaign in Scandinavia, Braga has four goal contributions, scoring three and grabbing an assist. He joined Aaelsund from another side in Norway, Moss, where he struck double figures in consecutive seasons. Braga has been on the Hearts radar for a period of time and could be added to McInnes' front options if all parties can come to an agreement. Hearts have Elton Kabangu and James Wilson who can play through the middle as well as Kenneth Vargas and Musa Drammeh in forward areas. Lawrence Shankland is out of contract and his future remains unresolved. Daniel Arzani to Hearts latest The former Celtic and Man City talent said over the weekend it was important for him to play week in, week out, at his next club. After finding his form in the A League after injury, Arzani has discussed how he's defeated self doubt to get back to good form, as the World Cup remains in his mind. He's with Australia for their final FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Saudi Arabia and if the Socceroos avoid defeat by five goals or more, they will qualify for the tournament. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Arzani said: 'There's always been a little bit of self-doubt there, especially after the way things unfolded the last few years. But look, that's in the past. Football is a game that changes very quickly, up and down, positive, negative. I'm happy to be in the situation that I'm in now. It hasn't come by easily, nor by coincidence. I've worked really hard to be here, and it's been a slow process. I kept chipping away at it. I'm happy with where I'm at now. There's definitely moments of self-doubt, but I feel like now I've got a good base to really show what I can do and to hopefully go even further. 'It's an incredible feeling for me (possibly in a second World Cup_. It's actually a little bit more special, because for the first time, I'm involved in the qualification process as well – before, I wasn't. Being around such a good group of lads and really feeling that connection and everyone working towards one common goal is always a special feeling. You see the stuff that happens behind the scenes, the stresses and the pressures and everything involved with qualifying for a World Cup. It's such a massive deal, and it's something that I've never experienced before, personally. So it's been a real eye-opener, and one that I'm really enjoying.'


Reuters
8 hours ago
- Reuters
Malaysia bus crash kills at least 15, mostly students, AFP says
June 9 (Reuters) - A bus crash in Malaysia has killed at least 15 people, most of them students, AFP reported on Monday.