Ski Jumping-Controversy, scandal and new competitions shake up Milano Cortina Games

PREDAZZO, Italy, Feb 16 : Ski jumping left a distinct mark on the Milano Cortina Winter Games, with a strange sideshow, a weather-driven controversy and a series of upsets that reshaped the sport’s landscape as its Olympic programme expanded. 

The Games featured six ski jumping competitions, including two Olympic debuts with the women’s individual large hill and the men’s super team events.

The final ski jumping competition of the Games, the men’s super team, ended in frustration after officials halted the final round with three jumpers remaining because of sudden heavy snowfall, reverting to the previous round's standings to determine the medal places.

Austria claimed gold - its only ski jumping medal of the Games - while Germany missed out on the podium by 0.3 points. Pre-Games favourites Slovenia finished fifth, 1.9 points behind bronze winners Norway.

Several athletes who lost out on medals criticised the decision, particularly after the snowfall stopped during the medal ceremony.

“All people think the same. They think they should have waited longer,” Japan’s Ren Nikaido said after finishing sixth.

While the snow bedevilled the end of the ski jumping programme, human anatomy got in the way before the start.

A German newspaper reported on allegations that some ski jumpers had sought to exploit equipment regulations by artificially enlarging their male genitalia to gain an aerodynamic advantage.

As the athletes arrived in Val di Fiemme, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation dismissed the claims as unsubstantiated, while several athletes and coaches became irritated that the story was taking away the focus from their upcoming competition. In one media meeting, a Norwegian coach could be heard saying he was tired of