Norway admitted to cheating at home World Championships: "We have deceived everyone" - the boss avoided doping issues

Norway's ski jumping team boss apologized in front of the media for cheating during the Trondheim World Championships.

The scandal reached a new level when the Norwegian team held a press conference after the events at the World Championships.

Three jumpers from Norway were disqualified in the large hill competition on Saturday, including the silver medalist Marius Lindvik and the fifth-place finisher Johann Andre Forfang. The International Ski Federation (FIS) initiated an investigation on Sunday after suspicions of systematic manipulation arose.

• "We have cheated, we have tried to deceive the system. This is unacceptable," said Norway's ski jumping team's sports director Jan-Erik Aalbu during the press conference.

Aalbu reported that the team's back-end staff had modified Forfang's and Lindvik's jump suits on Friday, knowing they were violating the rules and believing the modifications would go undetected during equipment checks. He noted that this manipulation only occurred with two suits in the competition on Saturday.

Aalbu read from a prepared statement during the press conference. He acknowledged that this cheating will lead to consequences, though he did not specify what those would be. He reminded that he has to adhere to employment laws. He hadn’t spoken to the athletes yet but planned to do so on Sunday evening or Monday.

• "I want to apologize that I was so resolute yesterday. I didn't know better. This came as a shock to me. This is against everything I stand for," Aalbu expressed, having previously denied any wrongdoing.

He stated there are still many questions that need answers.

• "We have cheated and betrayed everyone who loves ski jumping, including ourselves. I would like to apologize to other countries, ski jumpers, sponsors, and the audience."

Aalbu welcomed the FIS investigation and stated that Norway would fully cooperate with the investigators.

The head coach of the Norwegian ski jumping team, Magnus Brevig, was not present at the press conference, as Aalbu mentioned he had left for Oslo. Aalbu did not comment on whether Brevig would be dismissed.

In light of the suit manipulation scandal, there has also been a call for stricter penalties for suit-related cheating. Yle asked Aalbu how such longstanding issues in ski jumping could be curbed.

• "I would want a system where suits are tested before the competition weekend, for example on Friday. They then would be secured away and released 10-15 minutes before the jump and put back immediately. I believe this is likely the only way," Aalbu commented.

Following the cheating incidents, stricter sanctions for suit manipulation in ski jumping have stirred discussions. Yle inquired if current penalties should be increased, potentially leading to disqualification from individual competitions instead of just temporary suspensions. In cross-country skiing, doping can lead to bans for several years.

• "I don’t need to answer that. FIS needs to assess that, but an investigation has now been initiated. Let’s see what emerges after the investigation," Aalbu commented.