IOC responds to US bid for Katie Uhlaender’s Milan Cortina Olympic spot

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has written a letter from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) asking for a place in the Milan Cortina Winter Games for American skeleton veteran Katie Uhlaender.

Hlaender recently lost the chance to qualify after Team Canada withdrew athletes from the North America Cup earlier this month, reducing the number of points the tournament can earn. The relegation made it statistically difficult for Uhlaender to score enough points to qualify.

Uhlaender applied to the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), but no changes were made. The IOC has now addressed the IBSF decision.

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“This matter concerns 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 provided to Fox News Digital.

The IOC statement did not accept Uhlaender’s request to be given a wild card to Milan Cortina.

Belgium, South Korea, the Virgin Islands, Malta, Israel and Danish groups have all thrown their support behind Uhlaender’s efforts, sending letters of support to the USOPC to try to get the event more fully investigated.

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

“It was decided that continuing to run these athletes does not benefit them, nor does it benefit the program,” he 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 Feb. 17, 2018. (James Lang/USA TODAY Sports)

However, one of the Canadian athletes said that the coaches said that the reason for their withdrawal was because of “interest in the way the scores worked.”

“They came and explained to us that it would be a big advantage the way the points worked for Jane, so that as a team we could qualify for two places in the Olympics,” said Canadian skeleton runner Madeline Parra. The Canadian Press.

The Interim Integrity Unit of the IBSF has investigated allegations of competitive manipulation. It acknowledged the withdrawals had caused concern but concluded that governing rules allow teams to withdraw athletes at any time. Because the rulebook has no penalty or protection against late withdrawals that change the allocation of points, the IIU dismissed the appeal.

Vice President JD Vance will lead the US Presidential delegation to the Milan Cortina Olympics next month. Uhlaender hopes that the vice president will agree to participate.

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Katie Uhlaender of the US reacts after the women’s skeleton 2nd round during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Olympic Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on Feb. 16, 2018. (Mark Ralston / AFP via Getty Images)

“As US 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 representing the United States of America and our values, the USOPC, and the many affected nations in supporting our appeal to IOC President Kirsty Coventry to use her authority to support justice in Olympic sports by intervening,” the USOPC said.

“Doing so will protect the integrity of competition and prevent further injuries. Such action will send a powerful message to young athletes everywhere: that standing up for ethics and integrity may be difficult, but it is important.”

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