Beaver Creek winner Luitz under oxygen investigation
AFP
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German alpine skier Stefan Luitz is under investigation for breaking anti-doping rules after photographs emerged showing him inhaling oxygen. (Photo: AFP)

Alpine skier Stefan Luitz is under investigation for allegedly breaking anti-doping rules by inhaling oxygen between runs during his giant slalom win at Beaver Creek last weekend.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) told AFP on Friday it was looking into the matter after Italian and Swiss journalists revealed the existence of a photograph which appeared to show the German inhaling oxygen

In June 2016, the FIS banned the use of oxygen cylinders in competition, a point specified in the federation's anti-doping regulations.

Luitz and the other German skiers, who are also involved in the investigation, have not been suspended from competition.

Addressing the captains' meeting ahead of this weekend's World Cup event in Val d'Isere, FIS race director Markus Walder said that they were allowed to compete in Saturday's giant slalom.

"No team brought a claim after the giant (slalom) at Beaver Creek," he said. "The investigation is still ongoing."

Luitz, who had just returned to the slopes after a year out with injury to claim his maiden World Cup win, now faces possible disqualification.

If that happens, victory in Beaver Creek would pass to Austrian ace Marcel Hirscher.