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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sent a letter from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) requesting a place in the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games for veteran American skeletonist Katie Uhlaender.
Uhlaender recently lost the chance to qualify for a spot after Team Canada withdrew 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 score enough points to qualify.
Uhlaender appealed the result to the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), but no change was made. The IOC has now referred to the IBSF decision.
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Team USA’s Katie Uhlaender poses for a portrait during the Beijing 2022 Team USA Olympic shoot in Irvine, California, on September 12, 2021. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Team USA)
“This matter relates to 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 Pak Gazette Digital.
The IOC statement did not recognize Uhlaender’s request for a wild card spot for Milan Cortina.
Teams from Belgium, South Korea, the Virgin Islands, Malta, Israel and Denmark have supported Uhlaender’s efforts, sending letters of support to the USOPC to try to have the event further investigated.
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) said the decision to withdraw the athletes was made “after 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 compete with these athletes was not in the best interest of them or the program,” he added.
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Katie Uhlaender (USA) competes in the women’s skeleton event at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Olympic Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on February 17, 2018. (James Lang/USA TODAY Sports)
However, one of the Canadian athletes said the coaches said the reason for the withdrawal was due to “the best interest of the way the points had worked.”
“They came and explained to us that it would be best for Jane, so that we, as a team, can qualify two places for the Olympic Games,” said Canadian runner Madeline Parra. The Canadian Press.
The IBSF Interim Integrity Unit investigated allegations of competition manipulation. He acknowledged that the withdrawals raised concerns, but concluded that current rules allow teams to withdraw athletes at any time. Because the regulation contains no penalties or safeguards for late withdrawals that alter the distribution of points, the IIU dismissed the complaint.
Vice President JD Vance will lead the US presidential delegation to the Milan Cortina Olympics next month. Uhlaender hopes the vice president will advocate for his involvement.
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Katie Uhlaender of the USA reacts after the women’s skeleton race 2 during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Olympic Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on February 16, 2018. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)
“As US Vice President JD Vance will meet with the leadership of the International Olympic Committee, I respectfully ask that you join me as an Olympian who has represented the United States of America and our values, the USOPC and the many affected nations in supporting our request to IOC President Kirsty Coventry to use her authority to uphold fairness in Olympic sport by granting a wild card entry,” Uhlaender said.
“Doing so would protect the integrity of the competition and prevent further harm. Such action would send a powerful message to young athletes around the world: upholding ethics and integrity may be difficult, but it is important.”
