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An investigation by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) found that Team Canada manipulated the outcome of the North American Cup in Lake Tahoe, New York, earlier this month.
Canada’s actions denied American Olympian Katie Uhlaender the opportunity to earn enough points to qualify for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games.
After Team Canada withdrew its athletes from the North America Cup earlier this month, the number of points the competition could award was reduced. The reduction made it mathematically impossible for Uhlaender to score enough points to qualify.
The IBSF concluded that “the action by the Canadians was intentional and aimed at reducing the points available to athletes who slipped in the Lake Placid NAC final,” it announced in a statement obtained by Pak Gazette Digital on Wednesday.
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Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) originally 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.
Team USA skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender was denied the opportunity to earn enough points to qualify for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Team USA)
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.
Now, the IBSF has determined that Canada made a conscious decision to withdraw the athletes to manipulate the potential points at stake.
“Although Canada subsequently attributed its decision to order four athletes not to slide in official training to concerns about the athletes involved, substantial evidence supports Ms. Uhlaender’s claim that the move was a deliberate effort by Canada to reduce the points available at the Lake Placid NAC final to protect its own Olympic quotas,” the announcement said.
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The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee requesting that Katie Uhlaender be granted a spot at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)
However, the IBSF is also not taking any action to penalize Canada or change the outcome of the event to grant Uhlaender a chance to qualify for the Olympics.
“Although the disqualification of an athlete and the cancellation of results may have collateral impacts (for example, other participants moving up in official positions), the Olympic Movement Code does not establish standards or means by which event records can be changed, except through sanctions,” the announcement reads.
Uhlaender continues to lead an international protest to qualify for the next Olympic Games.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) requesting that Uhlaender be granted a spot. Fourteen other countries have joined that request.
The Olympic committees of Malta, Israel, the Virgin Islands, South Korea, Belgium, Brazil, Jamaica, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ghana, Nigeria, Trinidad, Colombia and Latvia have signed on to support Uhlaender, either in their own letters or by signing the USOPC’s letter to the IOC advocating that the American be granted qualification.
The IOC has since responded to the USOPC’s letter defending Uhlaender.
Several Olympic committees have signed their support for Uhlaender. (James Lang/USA TODAY Sports)
“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.
vice president J.D. 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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“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.”
