The runners of the German Ski Federation could be threatened by a bad afterplay to the World Cup weekend of Beaver Creek. Since the German athletes around giant slalom winner Stefan Luitz were supplied with oxygen from the bottle before the start, they could have violated the regulations of the FIS. In the worst case the disqualification threatens.
As the specialist portal skionline.ch reports, the World Ski Federation has probably received an anonymous protest, which is now also being investigated by the Anti-Doping Agency WADA.
Beaver Creek is located at over 3000 meters above sea level, which is why a supply of oxygen can lead to an increase in performance. Due to the lower oxygen content in the air, it also decreases in the blood, which has an influence on performance.
However, the FIS has not clearly forbidden the use of oxygen per se in its regulations, as skionline reports. Therefore, in addition to a subsequent disqualification, there could also only be a warning.
Stefan Luitz caused a sensation last Sunday with his triumph over Marcel Hirscher and Co.. For the first time in his career he won a race in the Alpine Ski World Cup, and this in his second race after having survived a cruciate ligament rupture.