What is 'Penisgate'? Here's What's Going on with Theories Olympians Are Injecting Their Appendages

In the leadup to the 2026 Winter Olympics, there’s a salacious new scandal emerging in the news that’s been dubbed “Penisgate.” But what is it and how exactly does it apply to this year’s Games?

Simply, “Penisgate” is a theory that relates to athletes competing in the ski jumping competitions. It suggests that male competitors might be injecting their penises with hyaluronic acid in order to achieve a bit of a boost in the competition.

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At the moment, no specific athletes have been accused of the performance-enhancing practice.

However, in early January, German publication Bild reported that there is “heated discussion behind the scenes” in the ski jumping community about athletes turning to injections prior to getting 3D scanned for their competition suit.

The injections would then dissolve or be removed, and this is where the advantage could come in.

Theoretically, enhancing the size of an athlete’s package would make it so the 3D scan of their body is inaccurate. Once the injections are gone, it would give them a looser-fitting suit when it’s time to head down the slope.

The looser suit could make their bodies more aerodynamic and help them maintain even a few extra moments in the air.

Dr. Kamran Karim of the Maria-Hilf Hospital in Krefeld in Germany told the outlet, “It is possible to achieve a temporary, visible thickening of the penis with injections of paraffin or hyaluronic acid. However, this does not result in any lengthening. Such an injection is not medically indicated and carries risks.”

Competitors don’t necessarily need to turn to injections, either. The Guardian noted that the theory also applies to using a product like clay in their underwear to create a larger bulge.

Is this theory something that organizers for the Olympics are actually worried about?

According to The Athletic, the World Anti-Doping Agency addressed the theory during a press conference.

Oliver Niggli, the organization’s director general, said that he was “not aware of the details of ski jumping and how it can improve but if anything was to come to the surface we would look at anything if it is actually doping related.”

He added that he was previously unaware of the theory picking up steam.

Witold Banka, the organization’s president also spoke, saying, “Ski jumping is very popular in Poland [his home country] so I promise you I’m going to look at it.”

The outlet noted that both officials were “more amused and confused than outraged” by the idea at this point.

During the 2024 Paris Olympics, a competitor went viral for another bulge-related mishap.