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Five-time Team USA Olympian Katie Uhlaender was on track to participate in her sixth Winter Games. But then a decision by Team Canada took it all away.
With the opportunity to qualify during the North American Skeleton Cup in Lake Placid, New York, earlier this month, Canada withdrew four of its athletes from the competition. The withdrawal reduced the total number of points the competition could award, making it impossible for Uhlaender to earn enough for Olympic qualification.
Four Canadian female skeleton athletes were withdrawn just before the competition. According to the rules of the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), only 75% of Points were awarded, mathematically eliminating Milan-Cortina’s Uhlaender before the first heat even began.
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Katie Uhlaender of the 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)
One of the Canadian athletes said the coaches said the reason for the withdrawal was “in 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 Olympics,” Canadian runner Madeline Parra told The Canadian Press.
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.
For Uhlaender, at 41 years old, the result was difficult to assimilate, but he also feels sorry for all the other competitors affected. So, now she is fighting back.
“It hurt all of us,” Uhlaender told Pak Gazette Digital. “So when I turned around and looked at these young women, since I’m a senior and I’ve been to five Olympics, this would be my sixth.
“So, some of these girls are trying to make their first debut, and they’re young…so I thought it was my duty as a U.S. Olympian and someone who believes in doing the right thing to say something.”
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Katie Uhlaender of the USA reacts after the women’s skeleton heats two race 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)
Uhlaender has pressured the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to submit a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), requesting an additional Olympic berth for her. Pak Gazette Digital obtained a copy of the letter.
“These actions circumvented Olympic qualification principles, undermined fair competition, and ultimately deprived Ms. Uhlaender of the opportunity to compete at the XXV Milan-Cortina Winter Games,” says the letter, signed by USOPC Head of Sports and Athlete Services Rocky Harris.
“It is undeniable that Mrs. Uhlaender deserves to go to the Olympic Games.”
Uhlaender previously filed an appeal with the IBS and says he had to pay a $5,000 fee to do so.
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.
But Uhlaender did not back down and vowed to further challenge the decision and even garnered international support for his cause.
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.
“My friends from Denmark and I have never once talked about Greenland,” jokes Uhlaender.
Uhlaender has even said that some Canadian athletes are privately supporting her in this battle.
He does not rule out taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) until it is resolved.
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.
“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.
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Katie Uhlaender of the USA poses for a portrait during the Team USA Beijing 2022 Olympic shoot in Irvine, California on September 12, 2021. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Team USA)
“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.”
Pak Gazette Digital has reached out to BCS and the IBSF for a response.
