Two Norwegian ski jumpers have been disqualified from a Nordic World Ski Championships event after it was discovered that their suits had been tampered with.
Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang competed in the ski jumping competition from the highest jump on Saturday in Trondheim, Norway. But they were later disqualified after their costumes had added threads.
The general manager of the Norwegian Ski Federation, Jan-Erik Aalbu, admitted that the interference, namely the manipulation of the suits, constitutes fraud.
"The support system explained that on Friday they chose to place a reinforced thread in Forfang and Lindvik's suit," Aalbu said.
"This was done knowing that it was not within the regulations, but believing that it would not be detected by the FIS equipment controller. As I see it, we have cheated. We have tried to cheat the system. This is unacceptable," the head of the Norwegian federation added.
Aalbu said the athletes had used the rigged costumes only for the high jumper competition and not in any other World Championship competition.
The International Ski Federation said Lindvik and Forfang were disqualified "following an inspection of their jump suits, which did not comply with the equipment rules."
An FIS body is now investigating illegal equipment manipulation by the Norwegian team.
Lindvik and Forfang wrote that they were unaware that their costumes had been tampered with for the competition by the top dancer.
Forfang has said he is beyond devastated by the disqualification.
"The World Championship was supposed to be a dream week, but instead it ended in tragedy," this competitor wrote.
"I was never aware that my suit was tampered with. I have always had great confidence in the staff, who have worked tirelessly to make the best possible equipment. But this time a clear line was crossed," Forfang added.
Costumes used in ski jumping competitions must adhere to certain rules.
Lindvik also denied knowing that her suit had been tampered with. The tampering was done with the intention of improving the results of the Norwegian athletes.
Lindvik won a silver medal in the high vault competition, which was taken away after disqualification.
He also won two gold medals in other disciplines, results that remain.
The Norwegian team's support staff were filmed tampering with the skiers' clothing in a hotel room on Friday and Saturday evening. It is not known who filmed them, but the footage was sent to the FIS.
The federations of Austria, Poland and Slovenia have made official protests over the Norwegians' costumes.
