IOC responds to US request for Katie Uhlaender Milan Cortina Olympic berth

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) addressed a letter from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) requesting a spot at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games for US skeleton veteran 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 earn 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’s decision.

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“This matter relates to the application of IBSF rules and procedures in relation to an IBSF organized event. The IOC understands that the IBSF has already responded to Ms Uhlaender regarding this matter,” the IOC said in a statement to Pakinomist Digital.

The IOC’s statement did not recognize Uhlaender’s request for a wildcard spot for Milan Cortina.

Belgium, South Korea, the Virgin Islands, Malta, Israel and Denmark’s team have all thrown their support behind Uhlaender’s efforts and sent letters of support to the USOPC to try to get the event investigated further.

Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) said the decision to withdraw the athletes was made “after careful evaluation of the needs of the program and in consultation with the IBSF” and “careful consideration of the athletes’ health, safety and long-term development.”

“It was determined that it was not in their best interest to continue running these athletes, nor in the best interest of the program,” it added.

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Katie Uhlaender (US) 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 “in the best interest of how points had worked.”

“They had come over and explained to us that it would be in the best interest of the way points had worked for Jane so that we as a team can qualify two spots for the Olympics,” Canadian skeleton racer Madeline Parra said. The Canadian Press.

The IBSF’s Interim Integrity Unit investigated allegations of competition manipulation. It acknowledged that the withdrawals raised concerns, but concluded that the governing rules allow teams to withdraw athletes at any time. Because the rulebook contains no penalty or guarantee for late withdrawals that change the points distribution, the IIU dismissed the complaint.

Vice President JD Vance will lead the US presidential delegation to the Cortina Olympics in Milan next month. Uhlaender hopes that the vice president will favor her participation.

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Katie Uhlaender of the United States reacts after the women’s skeleton heat 2 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)

“As U.S. Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to meet with the leadership of the International Olympic Committee, I respectfully ask that he stand with me as an Olympian who has represented the United States 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 sports by granting an Uhla entry,” said an Uhla-enderry.

“Doing so would protect the integrity of the competition and prevent further harm. Such action would send a strong message to young athletes everywhere: that standing up for ethics and integrity can be difficult, but it matters.”