Katie Uhlaender receives the support of 12 countries for the Olympic qualification

At least 12 countries have supported American skeleton athlete Katie Uhlaender.

The Olympic Committees of Malta, Israel, Virgin Islands, South Korea, Belgium, Brazil, Jamaica, Denmark, Netherlands, Ghana, Nigeria and Trinidad, sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), have signed their support for Uhlaender either in their own letters or signed the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s (USOPC) letter to the IOC to be awarded Milan qualification for the US Games.

Uhlaender is suddenly leading an international protest to qualify after a decision by Team Canada cost her the chance to make her sixth Winter Olympics.

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After Team Canada athletes pulled out of 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.

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.

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.

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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)

The IBSF’s Interim Integrity Unit (IIU) 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.

The IOC has since responded to the USOPC’s letter advocating for Uhlaender.

“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.

Uhlaender has the support of at least 12 nations behind him. And that list could grow until the start of the Games.

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 Team United States poses for a portrait during the Team USA Beijing 2022 Olympic shoot on September 12, 2021 in Irvine, California. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Team USA)

“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 a 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.”