Sports
Athletes Accused of Using Penis Injections to Cheat
Anti-Doping chiefs have responded to claims that athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics have been using penis injections in an effort to obtain an unfair advantage.
As with many sports, athletes do all they can to make sure they have the edge over their opponents. Some do so illegally, with the use of performance-enhancing drugs, whereas others find loopholes within the rulebook to ensure they have the advantage.
But ski jumping might just have witnessed the most creative, and bizarre attempt at gaining a competitive edge in sporting history.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has said it would investigate claims that male ski jumpers are using a rather unconventional method, involving their manhood, to boost their performance.
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The eyebrow-raising allegations first appeared in German newspaper Bild last month, suggesting some athletes were injecting hyaluronic acid into their penises before undergoing measurements for their competition suits.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Though hyaluronic acid isn’t currently on the banned substances list, the theory goes that increasing penis circumference by one or two centimetres would boost the overall surface area of their suits during flight, potentially giving them an advantage in the air.
According to Sandro Pertile, director of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), the margins in the sport are razor-thin. “Every extra centimetre on a suit counts. If your suit has a 5% bigger surface area, you fly further,” he explained.
When pressed on the matter at a Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics press conference, World Anti-Doping Agency director general Olivier Niggli admitted he wasn’t familiar with the specifics. “I am not aware of the details of ski jumping, and how that could improve performance,” he said. “If anything was to come to the surface, we would look at it and see if it is doping related. We don’t address other [non-doping] means of enhancing performance.”
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WADA president Witold Banka, clearly amused by the line of questioning, added with a smile: “Ski jumping is very popular in Poland, so I promise you I’m going to look at it.”
The FIS has firmly denied any knowledge of such practices. Communications director Bruno Sassi told BBC Sport: “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 controversy stems from the sport’s strict suit regulations. Before each season, jumpers undergo measurements using 3D body scanners while wearing only form-fitting underwear. Their suits must adhere to tight tolerances of just 2-4cm, with crotch dimensions specifically measured and regulated to the athlete’s natural measurements plus 3cm for men.
Crucially, hyaluronic acid injections can remain effective for up to 18 months, meaning any alterations made during the measurement period could theoretically provide an advantage throughout an entire season.
This wouldn’t be the first time ski jumping has dealt with suit manipulation scandals. Last August, Norwegian Olympic medallists Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang accepted three-month bans after their team was caught tampering with suits during the World Ski Championships in Trondheim. While the athletes themselves weren’t aware of the modifications, the FIS determined their team had “tried to cheat the system” by inserting reinforced thread into their jumpsuits.
Both Norwegian athletes have served their suspensions and are eligible to compete at the current Winter Olympics, which officially kicks off today. The men’s ski jumping competition gets underway on Monday, and you can bet officials will be watching closely for any unusual advantages, no matter how they’re achieved.
Manchester United and Tottenham are both pushing to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the summer transfer window, and Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on a potential deal.
Fernandes has been one of the biggest talking points in the summer transfer window so far, especially when it comes to the Premier League.
A number of sides in England are interested in the midfielder after West Ham were relegated to the Championship last season.
A departure feels inevitable for the former Southampton man, but it remains to be seen where he could end up.
Despite West Ham being relegated, they are remaining strong with their valuation of the player, not looking to roll over despite dropping down a league.
It certainly helps that multiple clubs are interested in signing Fernandes, meaning a bidding war could ensue.
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Romano Update: Tottenham and Man Utd Push for Fernandes
Reporting on his YouTube channel, Romano has provided an update on Manchester United and Tottenham’s interest in Portuguese midfielder Fernandes.
“I still stand by my own call on this deal. For Mateus Fernandes, Manchester United and Tottenham are still fighting. Tottenham have been there for days, trying to enter, pushing with the player, pushing with his agent. Manchester United remain in contact with West Ham. Man Utd are still working on the Mateus Fernandes deal.”
Romano confirms that both United and Tottenham are ‘pushing like crazy’ to get a deal done, but it’s unclear who is going to win the race at the moment.
There have been claims that Tottenham have reached an agreement with West Ham and Fernandes to secure his signature, but Romano believes that both clubs are still pushing.
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Fernandes Picking the Best Offer
Romano also confirms that Fernandes and West Ham have decided that whoever makes the best financial offer will win the race for the Portuguese midfielder.
If one club offers one penny more, they will win the race, with Fernandes seemingly happy to join either club in the summer transfer window.
That might come as a surprise, with United competing in the Champions League and Tottenham finishing 17th last season.
The West Ham midfielder clearly likes the idea of the Tottenham project and working under Roberto De Zerbi.
It will be interesting to see which club coughs up the most money, as they both seem to have other targets as well in the midfield.
Ivana Knoll, a Croatian model who went viral at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, has started a new career since first being spotted supporting her country.
She became famous instantly after being snapped wearing the iconic red and white checks of her country eight years ago. The 33-year-old then made headlines in Qatar four years ago after many of her outfits went against the country’s strict rules.
Ivana now has almost three million followers on social media and was spotted at Croatia’s 2026 World Cup clashes with England and Panama. She has continued to work as an influencer since her rise to fame, but has now embarked on a new journey.
Ivana Knoll Starts New Career at World Cup
As well as her modelling and influencing commitments, Ivana has now embarked on a journey as a DJ. With the stage name ‘KnollDoll’, the superfan is performing at various venues during this summer’s World Cup.
Before her country were beaten by England in their opening game, she performed at a FIFA Fan Festival in Los Angeles. She’s previously worked with David Guetta and performed at high-profile venues like Madison Square Garden in New York.
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Speaking about the time-consuming new venture after watching Croatia defeat Panama, Knoll told talkSPORT: “I’m amazing. It’s my second game. I came only for Croatia games because now I’m on my DJ tour, my first big US tour.”
She then explained how this is her fourth World Cup, saying: “So I didn’t have time to visit other games, but I’m visiting Croatia games, and this is my fourth World Cup. It’s my routine already. Four World Cups in 16 years. In Brazil, I was very, very young.”
Recalling initially going viral in Russia in 2018, and then gaining even more attention in Qatar, Ivana is delighted to now be watching Croatia in the country she now lives in. She continued:
“In Russia, it was special because we [reached] the final, and I was already going viral in the first game.
“Then in Qatar, I really exploded worldwide, which I never expected. And now it’s here in the country where I live, so I moved to Miami four years ago. It’s amazing.”
Some may even recognise the aspiring DJ from a Formula One event earlier in 2026, when a Sky Sports cameraman appeared to get slightly distracted by her.
Ivana Knoll Names Her Favourite Player ‘as a Person’
Over the years, she’s come into contact with some of the biggest names in world football. However, the 33-year-old claimed to have a particularly pleasant experience when meeting Man City and Norway star Erling Haaland.
“Honestly, personally, who I met and I think is the only player who I really like as a person, is Haaland.
“We have a photo together, and I’m small next to him, and I’m 180.”
She continued: “I know Vinicius [Junior], I know I met Haaland, I know Rafael Leao. They’re all nice guys, you know? So I cannot say anything, but my most impression was with Haaland and his friends. So I think they are very nice people.”
Arsenal are preparing their first offer for Morgan Rogers, according to Football Insider, as the Gunners prepare for changes in their midfield department.
The Premier League champions have had a slightly subdued start to the transfer window compared to some of their rivals so far, with less work to do to stay at the very top.
There is still a desire to strengthen the options available to Mikel Arteta, however, with talks underway to sign Christos Tzolis and Jeremy Monga as squad options.
Then there’s a push for Bruno Guimaraes on the cards, with one bid rejected, and a second expected for the Newcastle midfielder in the coming days.
Arsenal have started to ramp up their interest in key targets, and it seems as though Rogers could be the next option the club pushes to sign.
Morgan Rogers Bid Prepared
With a move for Guimaraes stepping up, Football Insider claims Arsenal are expected to make an opening bid for Rogers in the coming weeks of the transfer window.
The England international is claimed to be a “top target” for the Gunners, though any deal could be tough to strike with Aston Villa.
Rogers has a deal until 2031 at Villa Park, and it’s claimed that Unai Emery’s side are firmly against a sale. That said, any offer worth over £100 million would be enough for them to agree a deal.
It’s unclear what Arsenal’s starting point for the 23-year-old will be, as they set themselves up to make the first offer. However, it could be the start of a long saga that the North London club will hope ends in a deal to sign the versatile forward.
It would be quite the statement of intent from the Gunners too, signing a player who has been described as “one of the world’s best” in recent seasons.
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Arsenal Mean Business In Transfer Window
Arsenal are showing they mean business this summer transfer window, with moves for Bruno Guimaraes and Morgan Rogers. The pair have been quality options for Premier League sides regularly making Europe, who will no doubt command huge fees.
But, after winning the division, it’s clear that the Gunners believe they can do what it takes to convince the stars to move to North London, irrespective of the fees.
That could see them move from strength to strength, platforming a pair of superstars into a team that is already filled with quality and hard-working talent around them.
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Arsenal are set to bid for one of their key transfer targets this summer, having made contact over a move.
It’s unclear whether it will be enough to make the side look more comfortable in the key moments, or if it will get them over the line in pursuit of the Champions League.
However, it shows that Arsenal aren’t happy just winning trophies once. They mean business and intend to do it all over again.
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