February 18, 2026 — For the first time in Olympic history, athletes at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games have been disqualified due to the use of banned per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” These disqualifications follow a new prohibition on fluorinated ski and snowboard waxes aimed at protecting both athlete health and the environment.
South Korean cross-country skiers Han Dasom and Lee Eui-jin were disqualified from the women’s sprint event, and Japanese snowboarder Shiba Masaki was disqualified from the men’s parallel giant slalom after routine equipment testing detected banned PFAS compounds. Officials test equipment using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; multiple positive spots trigger immediate disqualification from that event.
For decades, elite winter athletes relied on fluorocarbon-based waxes for enhanced speed and glide, but these products also contained PFAS, a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals that don’t break down in the environment. Studies associate PFAS exposure with serious health issues — including thyroid disease, developmental problems, and cancer — and elevated levels have been found in ski technicians who frequently handle these waxes.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) first approved the ban on fluorinated waxes in 2019, with enforcement beginning in the 2023–24 season. The rule covers all skiing and snowboarding events under its governance at the Winter Games. Athletes and support teams must ensure all waxes and gear are truly PFAS-free, but some teams have reported confusion and unexpected positive tests despite using products believed to be compliant.
Officials emphasize that unlike doping violations, PFAS infractions typically result only in disqualification from the affected event rather than broader sanctions. The affected South Korean skiers were later allowed to compete in subsequent events after cleaning and checking their equipment. Teams are increasingly turning to third-party testing of wax products to verify PFAS-free status as manufacturers work to respond to the ban.