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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has sent a letter from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) requesting a spot at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games for American skeleton veteran Katie Uhlaender.
Uhlaender recently lost a chance to qualify for a spot after Team Canada withdrew its athletes from the North America Cup earlier this month, reducing the number of points the competition could award. The reduction made it mathematically impossible for Uhlaender to earn enough points to qualify.
Uhlaender appealed the result to the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), but no changes were made. The IOC referred to the IBSF decision.
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Katie Uhlaender of Team USA poses for a portrait during Team USA’s Beijing 2022 Olympics filming in Irvine, California, September 12, 2021. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Team USA)
“This matter concerns the application of IBSF rules and procedures in relation to an event organized by the IBSF. The IOC understands that the IBSF has already responded to Ms Uhlaender on this matter,” the IOC said in a statement provided to PK Press Club Digital.
The IOC statement did not take into account Uhlaender’s request for a wild card place for Milan Cortina.
Teams from Belgium, South Korea, the Virgin Islands, Malta, Israel and Denmark all lent their support to Uhlaender’s efforts, sending letters of support to the USOPC in an attempt to have the event further investigated.
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) said the decision to remove the athletes was made “after a careful assessment of the needs of the program and in consultation with the IBSF” and “careful consideration of the health, safety and long-term development of the athletes.”
“It was determined that continuing to run these athletes was not in their best interest, nor in the best interest of the program,” he added.
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Katie Uhlaender (United States) competes in the women’s skeleton event at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Olympic Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, South Korea, February 17, 2018. (James Lang/USA TODAY Sports)
However, one of the Canadian athletes said coaches said the reason for the withdrawal was due to “best interest in how the points worked.”
“They came to us and explained to us that it would be in the best interest of how the points had worked out for Jane, so that we as a team could qualify for two spots in the Olympics,” said Canadian skeleton racer Madeline Parra. The Canadian Press.
The IBSF Interim Integrity Unit has investigated allegations of competition manipulation. He acknowledged that there were concerns about withdrawals, but concluded that the governing rules allowed teams to withdraw athletes at any time. Because the settlement contains no penalties or guarantees for late withdrawals that change the point distribution, the IIU dismissed the complaint.
Vice President JD Vance will lead the US presidential delegation to the Milan Cortina Olympics next month. Uhlaender hopes that the vice-president will advocate for her participation.
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Katie Uhlaender of the United States reacts after the second race of the women’s skeleton during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at the Olympic Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, South Korea, February 16, 2018. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)
“As U.S. Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to meet with leaders of the International Olympic Committee, I respectfully ask him to stand with me as an Olympian who has represented the United States of America and our values, the USOPC and the many nations involved in supporting our request that IOC President Kirsty Coventry use her authority to maintain fairness in Olympic sport by granting a wildcard,” Uhlaender said.
“Doing so would protect the integrity of competition and prevent further damage. Such action would send a powerful message to young athletes around the world that upholding ethics and integrity can be difficult, but it matters.”
