The International Ski Federation (FIS) has issued an apology following events at the men's cross-country skiing sprint competition that raised concerns about potential violations of waxing regulations by teams from the United States and Norway. Finnish athlete Lauri Vuorinen finished in fourth place, with only two Norwegian skiers and an American, Ben Ogden, finishing ahead of him. In a statement from FIS to the press, they clarified the circumstances surrounding the competition.

Earlier in the event, the Norwegian team had requested permission to bring a waxing machine to the service area, a request that had been granted multiple times during the ongoing World Cup season. The competition director from FIS acknowledged granting this permission but admitted to a communication failure as the decision was not communicated to other teams. FIS expressed regret for this oversight and assured that measures would be taken to prevent similar lapses during the upcoming Olympic Games.

Another issue surfaced regarding the conduct of a member of the U.S. team, suggesting possible breaches of protocol, which FIS is currently looking into. This situation highlights the complexities and challenges involved in maintaining fairness in competitive sports, particularly when it comes to equipment standards and team practices. Such incidents may influence the regulatory framework of skiing competitions moving forward, emphasizing the importance of clarity and transparency among all participating teams.