Winter Olympic Ski Jumpers Disqualified For Wearing The Wrong Outfits
The inaugural mixed team ski jumping event at the Beijing Winter Olympics was marred by controversy.
The inaugural mixed team ski jumping event at the Beijing Winter Olympics was marred by controversy as a bunch of competitors were disqualified because of their clothing.
A total of five jumpers were booted from the competition for wearing loose-fitting suits, which apparently give athletes an advantage while airborne.
With Austria, Japan, Norway and favourites Germany all disqualified, it was left to Slovenia to clinch the gold medal with 1001.5 points, while the Russians finished in second on 890.3 and Canada in third on 844.6.
Heading into the event, gold looked destined to be won by four-time world mixed team champions Germany.
But unfortunately for them, they were sent packing in the very first round after Katharina Althaus was disqualified for her outfit.
"We were so happy to have a second event (for women) here at the Olympics," Althaus said.
"The FIS (International Ski Federation) destroyed everything with this operation. I think they have destroyed women's ski jumping. I don't know what they're trying to do."
"I have been checked so many times in 11 years of ski jumping, and I have never been disqualified once, I know my suit was compliant."
Germany coach Stefan Horngacher claimed the controversial incident was "not good for the sport".
"The disappointment is of course huge but the rules have to be accepted," he said.
"It is just strange that they have been using the same suits yesterday and there was no problem.
"It is annoying that this happens at the Winter Olympic Games. This should all be cleared before."
As for the small European nation of Slovenia with a population of 2.1 million people, the victory will live long in the memory.
"All the medals are really good for the development of the sport," gold medallist Peter Prevc said.
"Right now in Slovenia, there's a lot of kids jumping on snow where there's still some left from December. And it's also the result of long years of good work with coaches and all the other stuff around us."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Winter Olympics news, ski jumping, Australia, Winter Olympics
Max Sherry