During the cross-country skiing sprint competition, Norway and the USA allegedly violated regulations by utilizing prohibited equipment. The United States reportedly had a banned fluid bottle in the service area, while Norway employed a waxing machine, for which they had received permission from the International Ski Federation (FIS) without notifying other nations. This has sparked controversy regarding fairness in the competition, with potential implications for the overall standings.

Norwegian athletes Johannes Kläbo, Oskar Vike, and USA's Ben Ogden took the top three positions in the sprint event. However, the circumstances surrounding their performance have raised eyebrows, especially as Finland's Lauri Vuorinen finished fourth, just outside the medal range. The FIS has admitted to granting Norway permission to use the waxing machine, confirming that this technology had been allowed on multiple occasions throughout the World Cup season. They acknowledged a shortcoming in communication about this permission, which has led to accusations of favoritism.

The incident has wider implications for the sport's integrity, with assertions of "direct cheating" coming from experts and commentators alike. The perceived lack of transparency and consistent rule enforcement could damage the reputation of cross-country skiing internationally, prompting a reevaluation of current rules and the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure a fair competitive environment.