Luitz’s Beaver Creek Victory in Jeopardy After Use of Supplemental Oxygen Revealed

By Published On: December 7th, 2018Comments Off on Luitz’s Beaver Creek Victory in Jeopardy After Use of Supplemental Oxygen Revealed

Germany’s Stefan Luitz is in danger of forfeiting his giant slalom victory from last week in Beaver Creek, Colorado, after it was revealed that he and other members of the German team took supplemental oxygen between runs of the GS race.

Confusion arose because supplemental oxygen is not banned by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) as of January 1, 2018, but oxygen tanks are banned at race venues by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The German Ski Federation has admitted to administering oxygen in Beaver Creek, which has an elevation of 0ver 8,000 feet (2,500 meters), but claims they were under the impression that FIS had adopted the WADA rules. WADA rules allow inhaled supplemental oxygen but give ultimate authority to individual sport governing bodies like FIS.

“There was no protest after the Beaver Creek race,” FIS said in a statement on Friday. “The case has been forwarded to WADA, which is investigating. No decision yet. The Germans will be at the start of the giant slalom in Val d’Isère.”

Pending a final ruling from FIS and WADA, the fate of Luitz and his Beaver Creek victory is uncertain.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Share This Article

About the Author: Sean Higgins

A Lake Tahoe native and University of Vermont graduate, Higgins was a member of the Catamounts' 2012 NCAA title winning squad and earned first team All-American honors in 2013. Prior to coming to Ski Racing Media, he coached U14s for the Squaw Valley Ski Team.