Olympics: 2 South Korean skiers DQ’d

Two South Korean skiers were disqualified from the Winter Olympics on Tuesday after a banned wax was found on their skis, officials said.

The International Skiing and Snowboarding Federation (FIS) said Han Dasom and Lee Eui-jin were out of the qualifying round for the women’s classic cross-country sprint after their equipment “tested positive for fluoride”.

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Fluoride, known as fluorinated wax, had been banned since the 2023-24 season, according to the BBC.

FIS has said fluorinated wax “can be a competitive advantage.” The substance is also said to have health and environmental concerns.

A member of the Korea Ski Association defended the athletes in an interview with South Korean media.

“The athletes’ products are not fluoride wax,” the official said, via The Athletic. “They tested negative in all previous international competitions with no previous problems. We are also confused.

Lee Eui-jin of the Republic of Korea competes during the women’s 5 km cross-country final on Day 3 of the 2025 Asian Winter Games on February 9, 2025 in Harbin, China. (Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images)

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“We will consult experts from wax and ski manufacturers to investigate whether the problem lies in the wax or the ski.”

None of the South Korean skiers were among the favorites to win the event. He and Lee were ranked 157th and 158th respectively in the World Cup.

China’s Jialin Bayani and South Korea’s Han Dasom in action during the women’s 5km freestyle on February 9, 2025. (REUTERS/Hannah McKay)

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The final race in the classical discipline is set to take place on February 22 – the last day of the Olympics.