Katie Uhlaender fights for Olympic spot after Team Canada’s withdrawal
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Five-time Team USA Olympian Katie Uhlaender was on track to qualify for her sixth Winter Games. But then a decision made by Team Canada put an end to everything.
Canada, which had a chance to qualify at the North American Skeleton Cup held in Lake Placid, New York, earlier this month, withdrew four of its athletes from the competition. The withdrawal reduced the total amount of points the competition could award and made it impossible for Uhlaender to earn enough for Olympic qualification.
Four Canadian women’s skeleton athletes withdrew just before the competition. According to International Luge and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) rules, only 75% of sleds Points were awarded and Uhlaender was mathematically eliminated from Milan-Cortina before the first qualifier even started.
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Katie Uhlaender of the United States competes in the women’s skeleton competition at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Olympic Skating Center on February 17, 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. (James Lang/USA Today Sports)
One of the Canadian athletes said coaches told him the reason for his withdrawal was “out of interest in the way the points work.”
“They came and told us that they would make the most of how the points worked for Jane, so that we could qualify as a team for two spots at the Olympics,” Canadian skeleton racer Madeline Parra said. Canadian Press.
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) said the decision to withdraw athletes was made “after careful consideration of the program’s needs and consultation with the IBSF” and “after careful consideration of athlete health, safety and long-term development.”
“It was determined that it was neither in their best interest nor in the best interest of the program to continue competing with these athletes,” he added.
The result was difficult for 41-year-old Uhlaender to accept, but she also feels bad for all the other contestants affected. So now he’s opposing it.
“He hurt all of us,” Uhlaender told Fox News Digital. “So, when I came back and looked at these young women, I’ve been to five Olympics since I was a senior, this was going to be my sixth.
“So, some of these girls are trying to make their firsts and they’re young… so I thought it was my duty as an American Olympian and someone who believes in doing the right thing to say something.”
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Katie Uhlaender of the United States reacts after two runs in the women’s skeleton heat during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Olympic Skating Center in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on February 16, 2018. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)
Uhlaender lobbied the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to send a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) requesting an additional Olympic berth for him. Fox News Digital obtained a copy of the letter.
“These actions subverted Olympic qualification principles, undermined fair competition, and ultimately deprived Ms. Uhlaender of the opportunity to compete at the XXV Milan-Cortina Winter Games,” the letter, signed by USOPC Chief of Sports and Athlete Services Rocky Harris, read. It was said.
“It is undeniable that Ms. Uhlaender deserves to go to the Olympic Games.”
Uhlaender had previously appealed to IBS and said he had to pay a $5,000 fee for it.
IBSF’s Interim Integrity Unit investigated allegations of competitive manipulation. He acknowledged that the withdrawals caused concern but concluded that the current rules allow teams to withdraw athletes at any time. Because the rulebook does not contain any penalties or measures for late withdrawals that change the point distribution, the IIU dismissed the complaint.
But Uhlaender did not back down, vowing to further appeal the decision and even rallying international support behind his case.
Teams from Belgium, South Korea, the Virgin Islands, Malta, Israel and Denmark supported Uhlaender’s efforts, sending letters of support to the USOPC for further investigation of the incident.
“My friends and I in Denmark have never once talked about Greenland,” Uhlaender joked.
Uhlaender even said that some Canadian athletes are specifically supporting him in this fight.
He is not ruling out taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) until the issue is resolved.
Vice President J.D. Vance will lead the U.S. Presidential Delegation to next month’s Milan-Cortina Olympics. Uhlaender hopes the vice president will defend his involvement.
“As U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is scheduled to meet with International Olympic Committee leadership, I respectfully ask that as an Olympian representing the United States and our values, the USOPC, and the many affected countries, he stands with me in supporting our request that IOC President Kirsty Coventry use her authority to promote fairness in Olympic sport by granting a wildcard entry,” Uhlaender said. he said.
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Katie Uhlaender of the United States poses for a portrait during Team USA Beijing 2022 Olympic filming on September 12, 2021 in Irvine, California. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Team USA)
“Doing so will protect the integrity of the competition and prevent further harm. Such action will send a strong message to young athletes around the world: defending morality and integrity may be difficult, but it is important.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to BCS and IBSF for a response.
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