Norwegian ski jumpers banned over 'cheat' suits
Marius Lindvik (left) and Johann Andre Forfang have represented Norway in individual and team events
- Published
Two Norwegian ski jumpers have accepted three-month suspensions for their part in the tampering of ski suits during a competition, the International Ski Federation (FIS) has said.
Olympic medallists Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang were accused of equipment manipulation in the men's large hill event at the World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, in March.
The pair, and three team officials, were charged by the sport's governing body earlier this month.
Speaking when the manipulation was uncovered in a routine equipment check, FIS general manager Jan-Erik Aalbu said the team had "tried to cheat the system" by putting reinforced thread in the jumpsuits of Lindvik and Forfang.
Lindvik, 27, had originally finished second in the men's large hill event while 30-year-old compatriot Forfang came fourth, but both were disqualified after the equipment inspection.
They were provisionally suspended in March pending an investigation.
When the athletes were charged, Aalbu said Lindvik and Forfang were unaware of the reinforced thread.
"They were not charged with actual knowledge of the manipulations," the FIS Ethics Commission said on Saturday, adding they had admitted to breaching competition rules.
"They also agree that they should have checked and asked questions about the night-time adjustments.
"Johann Forfang and Marius Lindvik are therefore willing to accept the proposed sanctions of a period of ineligibility of three months, from which the period of the provisional suspension already served shall be deducted."
They have also been ordered to pay a 2,000 Swiss franc (£1,845) contribution to the cost of the proceedings.
Their lawyers said the case "shows that routines for communication between the support staff handling equipment and suits, and the athletes, should be improved to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future".
The Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina starts in February, when Lindvik will aim to be defending his large hill title.
Forfang won the large hill team gold and normal hill individual silver at the 2018 Olympics.