Disqualification at Winter Olympics

Two South Korean skiers were disqualified from the Winter Olympics after their skis were found to have banned wax, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) revealed that Han Da-som and Lee Eui-jin were excluded from the qualifying round of the women’s cross-country classic sprint due to their equipment “testing positive for fluoride.”

Fluor, commonly referred to as fluorine wax, was banned starting from the 2023-24 season. FIS stated that these waxes “could provide a competitive advantage,” while also raising health and environmental concerns.

In response, officials from the Korean Ski Association defended the athletes in interviews with local media. They stated, “The athlete’s product is not fluorine wax. They have tested negative in all previous international competitions without any issues. We are also perplexed.”

Investigations are ongoing, and the association plans to consult with experts from wax and ski manufacturers to determine whether the issue lies with the wax or the skis.

Neither skater was among the favorites for a podium finish; Han and Lee held ranks of 157th and 158th, respectively, in the World Cup standings.

The final race of this classic competition is set for February 22, coinciding with the Olympics’ concluding day.