Norway's team, led by Marius Lindvik, caused a scandal. © APA / GEORG HOCHMUTH

After suit scandal: Yellow and red cards in ski jumping

Yellow and red cards will be used in ski jumping in the future. They are part of several rule changes that the world governing body (FIS) is introducing for the coming season following the World Championships scandal involving tampered jumpsuits.

June 13, 2025

From: dpa

An athlete disqualified for an equipment violation will receive a yellow card. A subsequent violation will result in a red card and suspension for the following competition.

The athlete's nation also loses a starting spot for the event in question. Previously, disqualifications—for example, due to oversized suits—usually had no impact on subsequent events.

Norwegians caused a scandal

The situation was different at last winter's World Championships in Trondheim. There, tampered with Norwegian ski jumpers' suits sparked a cheating scandal. The World Championship host equipped the suits with a band, prohibited by regulations, designed to provide greater stability after takeoff. Jumpers like world champion Marius Lindvik, who were caught wearing the suits, were banned from subsequent competitions.

In addition to the introduction of the card system, the FIS is also implementing modernized measurements for inspections and new specifications for suits. These are intended to reduce the scope for manipulation. Additional sanctions will also apply in cases of deliberate fraud—for example, through prohibited suit alterations after inspections.