Revolution in Ski Jumping! Adam Małysz Issues a Harsh Diagnosis: "This is Not the Way!"

Revolution in Ski Jumping! Adam Małysz Issues a Harsh Diagnosis: "This is Not the Way!"

Adam Małysz, the president of the Polish Ski Association, expresses strong discontent over planned changes in ski jumping, particularly regarding the unification of the competition calendar for men and women. He insists that the proposed changes, including considerations aimed at promoting women’s ski jumping, will not be effective solutions for the issues plaguing the sport, which he asserts has been declining in recent years.

Małysz’s criticisms were sparked by the FIS's recent decision to merge the calendars starting in the 2026/27 season, which he fears could detract from the popularity of both men's and women's competitions. He expresses frustration over the approach of the FIS, indicating that the organization seems more focused on cost-cutting measures rather than on substantial innovations that might draw fans back into the stands.

"It is disheartening that there seems to be a lack of focus on how to bring ski jumping back into favor with the audience. Since the introduction of wind calculation in competitions, the sport has become overly complex and less understandable," says Małysz.

He argues that while merging the calendars might appear to promote women’s ski jumping, practical implementation could lead to a decline in viewer engagement, as fans may only attend one event, based on their preference for men’s or women’s competitions.

Małysz is clear in his belief that ski jumping must adopt different strategies to regain popularity. He recalls instances where extreme challenges in competitions have drawn crowds, suggesting that safety should not come at the cost of excitement and spectacle. He mentions the importance of addressing broader issues facing the sport rather than implementing simplistic, sweeping reforms that could backfire.