NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
At least 12 countries have shown their support for American skeleton athlete Katie Uhlaender.
The Olympic committees of Malta, Israel, the Virgin Islands, South Korea, Belgium, Brazil, Jamaica, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ghana, Nigeria and Trinidad, sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), signed their support for Uhlaender either in their own letters or by signing the letter from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to the IOC requesting that the American qualify for the Winter Games from Milan Cortina.
Uhlaender is suddenly leading an international protest to qualify after a decision by Team Canada costs him the chance to compete in his sixth Winter Olympics.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
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)
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.
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.
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.
NHL STAR DISAPPOINTED TO BE LEFT OUT OF TEAM USA’S OLYMPIC LINEUP: ‘I THOUGHT MY GAME THIS YEAR WAS WORTHY’
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)
The IBSF Interim Integrity Unit (IIU) 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.
The IOC has since responded to the USOPC’s letter pleading in favor of Uhlaender.
“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.
Uhlaender has the support of at least 12 nations behind her. And this list could grow longer by the start of the Games.
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.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Katie Uhlaender of Team United States poses for a portrait during Team USA’s Beijing 2022 Olympics filming on September 12, 2021, in Irvine, California. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Team USA)
“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.”
