From the coming biathlon season, the use of fluorowax is to be strictly prohibited – unless the latest tests by the IBU bring new findings.
Fluor wax has been used in winter sports for decades, which guarantees faster skis at high temperatures.
Two years ago, however, the EU issued a regulation prohibiting its use. The reason for this are residues that the wax leaves in the snow. These are non-degradable and harmful to humans and the environment.
At the beginning of April, the World Biathlon Association IBU announced that the use of fluorowax should no longer be permitted from the 2022/2023 season. However, the decision no longer seems so certain.
In a press release, the IBU said it would organize a final test session in July after receiving a report from its fluorowax working group.
To date, there had been no conclusive results proving the presence or absence of fluorowax on the skis.
Only after the tests have been completed will a final decision on the implementation of the ban be made. “Fair competitions for all athletes and teams must be guaranteed by a reliable testing procedure,” the IBU said.
Biathlon: shocking results in control tests
Until the very end, the association’s plan was to use a spectrometer to check from next winter whether the nations were really complying with the fluorine wax ban. This method was tested last season, but it is still not really waterproof.
A few weeks ago, when the Swedish materials team tested the device that is to be used for the inspection, the results were shocking.
When asked if it was possible to trick the control mechanism, Johan Wahlstrom told Swedish TV station SVT: “Yes, it was actually very easy. At the moment we are not where we should be.”