ESPN won't use drones to videotape the upcoming 2016 X Games in Aspen, which comes after an Austrian skier was almost hit by one of the flying devices during a December World Cup event.
However, the Aspen Daily Newsreports ESPN spokesman Danny Chi said in an email the decision is unrelated to the incident and was determined months ago.
Scrutiny of drones has increased after Marcel Hirscher was nearly struck by one during a Dec. 22 slalom in Italy. The International Ski Federation has since banned the devices from its World Cup races.
Chi said ESPN has never permitted drone use at the Aspen venue.
A 20-year-old spectator was cited during last year's X Games Aspen for attempting to fly a drone from a nearby bus stop.