The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is currently investigating serious allegations that Olympic ski jumpers may have been injecting their penises with hyaluronic acid. This controversial practice, dubbed 'penisgate' by some, is reportedly aimed at making their crotches more aerodynamic, thereby providing an unfair competitive advantage. The allegations initially surfaced in the German newspaper Bild, which claimed that professional athletes are using this substance, commonly employed as an aesthetic filler, directly into their penises to enhance their performance.

The core theory behind this alleged doping method is that a larger penis would necessitate a larger suit. According to Sandro Pertile, the men's race director for the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), "Every extra centimeter on a suit counts. If your suit has a 5 per cent bigger surface area, you fly further." A larger suit, stretched by the 'v-position' of the legs in the crotch area, would indeed increase the surface area, allowing athletes to generate more lift and thus jump further. Pertile acknowledges the intense competitive nature of the sport, stating, "Of course, this is a competitive sport and everyone's on the limit with the rules because everyone wants to win."

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule crucial for skin plumpness, widely used in anti-aging treatments and penile girth enlargement. When injected into the soft tissue under the skin of the shaft, it can increase the size and girth. Dr. Shirin Lakhani, an advanced aesthetics physician at Elite Aesthetics, explains that a single hyaluronic acid molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, creating structure and volume. She notes that injections can also improve the strength and duration of erections by stimulating the growth of new, younger tissue and increasing blood flow. For a noticeable difference, injections would reportedly need to be repeated every six to twelve months, depending on the body's absorption and particle migration. These 'tweakments' can cost around £3,000 per shot in the UK, despite limited regulation.

However, experts, including Dr. Lakhani, have expressed significant concerns about the substantial risks associated with injecting hyaluronic acid into the penis. Serious complications can arise if the filler is injected into a blood vessel, ranging from infections to granulomas, which are small bumps beneath the skin. In rare, documented cases by Japanese doctors in 2021, such injections have led to gangrene – a severe condition where a loss of blood supply causes body tissue to die. The main treatment for gangrene is surgery to remove damaged tissue, known as debridement, and in severe instances, amputation of the affected body part may be necessary.

Additional common side effects and risks, particularly when injected poorly or at an incorrect dose (exceeding 10ml, according to Dr. Lakhani), include pain, disfigurement, inflammation, sensory changes, and erectile dysfunction. Dr. Lakhani strongly advises caution, warning, "Anyone who offers penile fillers at a cost that feels ‘too good to be true’, or promises results that seem to go above and beyond what feels realistic should be avoided." While the acid is sometimes combined with a patient's own platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in non-surgical procedures to simulate natural healing and encourage new blood vessel and nerve growth, these procedures still carry inherent risks.

Despite the widespread discussion and investigation, FIS communications director Bruno Sassi has maintained a firm stance, stating, "There has never been any indication, let alone evidence that any competitor has ever made use of a hyaluronic acid injection to attempt to gain a competitive advantage." The 'penisgate' scandal highlights the extreme measures athletes might consider for competitive edge, juxtaposed with severe health risks and the ongoing efforts of anti-doping agencies to ensure fair play.