Marius Lindvik (left) and Johann Andre Forfang have represented Norway in individual and team events
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has announced that two Norwegian ski jumpers and three team officials are facing charges following allegations of ski suit tampering.
Olympic medalists Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang are accused of equipment manipulation during the men’s large hill event at the World Ski Championships held in Trondheim, Norway, this past March.
According to the FIS, former head coach Magnus Brevik, assistant coach Thomas Lobben, and service staff member Adrian Livelten have also been charged following an internal investigation.
Jan-Erik Aalbu, FIS general manager, stated at the time that the team allegedly “tried to cheat the system” by incorporating reinforced thread into the jumpsuits worn by Lindvik and Forfang.
Lindvik, 27, initially secured second place in the men’s large hill event, while his 30-year-old teammate Forfang finished fourth. However, both athletes were subsequently disqualified after a post-event equipment inspection.
The aforementioned duo, along with Brevik, Lobben, and Livelten, were provisionally suspended in March pending the outcome of the investigation.
The FIS has yet to announce a timeline for the ethics committee’s ruling, with the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina scheduled to commence in February.
Aalbu voiced concerns on Monday, questioning the decision to charge Lindvik and Forfang, stating they were unaware of the reinforced thread.
“We have engaged with our athletes and believe their assertion that they were unaware of any manipulation of their ski suits,” Aalbu explained.
“The evidence does not suggest they had knowledge of the manipulation. Therefore, we respectfully disagree with the FIS’s assessment regarding grounds for a case against Forfang and Lindvik, but we respect the process.”
Lindvik earned a gold medal in the men’s large hill individual event at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Forfang previously won a silver medal at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang in the normal hill individual.