PFAS waxes found on skis and snowboards lead to three Olympic disqualifications
By 
Rebecca Trager2026-02-18T09:30:00
Athletes excluded for first time for materials doping with ‘forever chemicals’ since the prohibition took effect three years ago
Three athletes have been disqualified from the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics because of alleged use of ski waxes containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A ban on these waxes was announced by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) in 2019 that took effect in 2023 and involves testing for fluorinated ski waxes using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. These are the first Winter Olympic Games to feature such a prohibition.