The term 'voidepata', which translates to 'waxing machine', has been recognized as the Word of the Month for February 2026 by the Kotimaisten kielten keskus in Finland. This selection highlights the relevance of this term that emerged from the ongoing conversations around the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. In the context of Nordic skiing, a waxing machine is utilized to heat and apply a type of wax known as a binder onto the bases of skis, crucial for the performance of athletes in various snow conditions.

The significance of the term gained momentum during the Olympics as the Norwegian team made headlines for using the waxing machine in the service area between heats during the sprint events. This practice, which was initially deemed forbidden, led to a special exemption granted by the FIS on the same day to allow them to use the machine for ski maintenance. This decision sparked confusion and controversy, as the allowance was not communicated to other competing teams, leading to outrage among athletes who believed it created an unfair advantage.

Two Norwegian skiers, Johannes Klæbo and Oskar Vike, made it to the top three in the sprint finals, intensifying the criticisms directed toward this preferential treatment. Finnish athlete Lauri Vuorinen, who narrowly missed the podium, finished fourth in the sprint final, adding to the discontent among teams who felt the rules were not applied uniformly. The selection of 'voidepata' not only reflects a current event but also the dynamics of sportsmanship and fair play that underpin the Olympic spirit.