Banned Ski Wax Is Triggering DQs at the Olympics

February 13, 2026

The terms “banned substance” and “Olympics” likely conjure images of performance-enhancing drugs or famous examples of countries tricking anti-doping agencies. At the 2026 Games in Milano–Cortina, however, the illicit substances at the center of a debate have nothing to do with what athletes are putting into their bodies: It’s all about what they’re putting on their skis.

PFAS, also called forever chemicals for their inability to break down in nature, are a key component of certain waxes that winter athletes use. And it’s those waxes that have gotten three athletes disqualified from Olympic competition.

So far in the 2026 Games, three athletes have faced disqualification for allegedly using fluoro waxes. Japanese snowboarder Shiba Masaki was disqualified from the men’s parallel giant slalom, and two South Korean cross-country skiers, Han Dasom and Lee Eui-jin, were disqualified from the women’s sprint event.

So far, neither country has filed a formal protest over the ruling. GEARJUNKIE