Ski Wax Scandal At Milano Cortina Olympics 2026: South Korean Duo Disqualified

Yes, there has been another cheating scandal at the 2026 Olympics. Two South Korean cross-country skiers, Han Dasom and Lee Eui-jin, have been disqualified. This came after officials discovered a banned fluorinated substance on their skis. For fans and athletes alike, this is a tremendous scandal.

The Disqualification: What Went Down In Tesero

The drama unfolded in Tesero, Italy, during the equipment checks for the women’s classic sprint qualification. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) tested the athletes’ gear. Once they looked at the skis belonging to Han Dasom and Lee Eui-jin, they noticed something fishy, and after a few tests, they found wax residue on their skis. As a result, both athletes were pulled from the start list, ending their sprint competition before it even began.

While neither skier was considered a heavy favorite for a medal, their removal sent shockwaves through the paddock. It served as a stark warning to every other team: the “zero-tolerance” policy is in full effect, and no one is exempt from scrutiny.

Why Is Fluorinated Wax Banned?

To understand the severity of this ruling, you have to look at why “fluor” was banned in the first place. Fluorinated waxes it helped skiers glide and speed. It also doesn’t help that there are too many risks to the substances usage.

1. Environmental & Health Risks

The obvious one is the environmental one. These waxes contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” These compounds do not break down in the environment and cause harm. Especially as they accumulate in the snow, melt into the groundwater, and persist in ecosystems. Furthermore, the fumes created when ironing these waxes onto skis pose serious health risks.

2. Competitive Fairness

Before the ban, high-end fluor products were expensive and difficult to apply correctly. This created a financial disparity where wealthier nations could effectively “buy” speed that smaller teams couldn’t afford. By banning the substance entirely, FIS aimed to level the playing field, making the race about the athlete’s engine and technique, rather than their budget.

The Aftermath Of The Ban At Olympics And Future Implications

The immediate fallout for Han and Lee is clear: a lost Olympic opportunity at Milano and a tarnished record. But the ripple effects go much further than just an Olympic ban.

Impact on the Korea Ski Association

This is a significant blow to the South Korean team. While the national federation had not issued a detailed public rebuttal immediately following the event, internal reviews are almost certainly underway. Teams often have strict chains of custody for their equipment. They will need to determine if this was a deliberate attempt to gain an edge or a case of accidental contamination—perhaps from old brushes or tools that still held residue from the pre-ban era.

Heightened Scrutiny for the Rest of the Games

For the remainder of the Milano Cortina Olympics, you can expect equipment checks to be even more rigorous. This incident proves that the testing technology works and that FIS is willing to use it. Wax technicians across all nations will be double-checking their inventories and cleaning protocols to ensure compliance.

What Comes Next?

There are still procedural steps to follow. The Korea Ski Association has the right to request details regarding the testing procedure. If they believe there were errors in how the test was conducted or how the skis were handled, they can lodge an appeal through FIS channels.

However, historically, overturning a positive equipment test is difficult without concrete proof of procedural failure. For now, the disqualification stands as a definitive statement on the current era of winter sports and the Milano Olympics.

A New Era of Clean Skiing At Olympics

The disqualification of Han Dasom and Lee Eui-jin at the Olympics is a harsh reminder that modern sports governance goes beyond doping control. This is a challenge to the integrity of the Olympics, and both Dasom and Eui-jin broke the rules. It’s a shame too, as this will follow them throughout their careers.