Winter Olympics Controversy: Why Were South Korean Athletes Disqualified?

Two South Korean cross-country skiers have been disqualified from the Winter Olympics after a prohibited type of wax was discovered on their equipment, according to the BBC.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) announced that Han Da-som and Lee Ui-jin were disqualified from the women’s classic sprint qualifying round. During a routine inspection, officials detected traces of fluorinated compounds (fluor) on their skis.

FIS officially implemented a total ban on fluorinated ski wax starting from the 2023-2024 season. The restrictions are based on two primary factors:
 

• Unfair Advantage: This specific wax significantly enhances ski glide and speed, which contradicts the principle of fair competition among athletes.
• Environmental and Health Risks: Fluor is a "forever chemical" that does not decompose naturally. It pollutes the environment and has been linked to severe health issues in humans.

Han and Lee, ranked 157th and 158th in the World Cup standings respectively, were not considered top contenders for medals at the Milan-Cortina Games. However, the federation emphasized that regardless of an athlete's ranking, the rules must be strictly enforced to maintain the integrity of the sport.