Olympic 'Penisgate' Dominates Milan Coverage — scarlett johansson and Celebrities Unconnected
Mid-February 2026 (ET) — A Milan-based plastic surgeon has said he performed a hyaluronic acid injection on a ski jumper last month, touching off fresh scrutiny of an unusual rumor at the Winter Olympics that athletes may be enlarging their genitals to gain a suit-fitting advantage. The claim has prompted an inquiry by anti-doping authorities, a dismissal from the sport’s federation, and a broader debate about aerodynamics, medical risks and where regulators draw the line.
Surgeon's claim and the immediate fallout
Alessandro Littara has stated that he treated one athlete from the sport with a "generous dose" of hyaluronic acid and that the result is immediate, allowing the athlete to put on a newly fitted suit within minutes. He declined to name the individual or confirm whether the athlete will compete in Milan and Cortina. Littara also described extensive professional experience with penile augmentation procedures.
The assertion intensified attention on a rumor that first circulated in European media before the Games. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation dismissed the notion as a "wild rumor, " while the World Anti-Doping Agency has opened an inquiry to determine whether there is evidence to substantiate the claim and whether the practice would constitute a banned form of performance enhancement.
Why suit fit matters and what science suggests
Ski jumping is governed by meticulous equipment rules because even small changes in suit shape can alter airflow and lift. The groin area of a jump suit is particularly sensitive: added volume there can act like a sail and increase flight distance. A 2025 scientific analysis noted that a change of only a couple of centimeters in suit profile could translate into meaningful extra distance on a jump.
That aerodynamic incentive is not hypothetical. In the run-up to this Olympics, officials took action against teams for modifying suits to add fabric or padding in regulated areas. Those earlier disputes underscore why governing bodies are alert to any new methods that might create an unfair advantage.
Medical perspective and potential rule implications
Medical specialists who work with cosmetic fillers note that hyaluronic acid placed under penile skin can increase girth and reduce retraction when flaccid; effects on erect length are limited. The volume added is typically modest, the filler is gradually reabsorbed by the body, and maintenance injections are often required to preserve results. Practitioners also caution that the procedure carries risks — from uneven distribution to infection — and that staged treatments are sometimes recommended to limit complications.
Hyaluronic acid is not currently listed as a banned substance by anti-doping authorities, but regulators have signaled they will consider whether any medically facilitated change in body shape that confers a sporting advantage should fall within anti-doping or equipment rules. That could prompt new guidance covering not just substances but also prosthetics, padding and cosmetic procedures that alter the fit of regulated apparel.
Public reaction and broader context
The story has generated intense media and social conversation, often mixing fact, rumor and satire. High-profile entertainers and public figures have been mentioned or invoked in online chatter, but there is no evidence linking celebrities such as scarlett johansson to these claims; the controversy centers on athlete practices and regulatory responses.
As investigators probe whether any athletes actually sought or received such injections to influence competition, officials face a twofold task: establishing whether the practice occurred and, if so, defining the correct regulatory response. For now, the sport’s federation rejects the rumor, anti-doping authorities are investigating, and medical experts say the physical effects are real but limited — leaving continued uncertainty about how much impact, if any, the injections could have had on Olympic results.
