Five-time Team USA Olympian Katie Uhlaender was on her way to making her sixth Winter Games. But then a decision by Team Canada took it all away. With a shot at qualifying during the North American Skeleton Cup in Lake Placid, New York, earlier this month, Canada withdrew four of its athletes from competition. The withdrawal shrunk the total amount of points the competition could award, making it impossible for Uhlaender to earn enough for Olympic qualification. Four Canadian women’s skeleton athletes were withdrawn just before competition. Under International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) rules, only 75% of points were issued, mathematically eliminating Uhlaender from Milan-Cortina before the first heat even began.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMOne of the Canadian athletes said the coaches said the reason for the withdrawal was due to “the best interest for the way points had worked.” “They had come over and explained to us that it would be in the best interest for the way points had worked for Jane, so that we as a team can qualify two spots to the Olympics,” Canadian skeleton racer Madeline Parra told The Canadian Press.Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) said the decision to withdraw the athletes was made “after careful evaluation of the program’s needs and in consultation with the IBSF” and “careful consideration of athlete health, safety, and long-term development.””It was determined that continuing to race these athletes was not in their best interests, nor in the best interests of the program,” it added.For Uhlaender, at 41 years old, the outcome was hard to swallow, but she also feels for every other competitor affected. So, now she is fighting back. “It hurt all of us,” Uhlaender told Fox News Digital. “So, when I turned, and I looked at these young women, because I’m a senior I’ve been to five Olympics, this would be my sixth. “So, some of these girls are trying to make their first, and they’re young … so I thought it was my duty as an American Olympian and someone who believes in doing the right thing to say something.” US-BORN OLYMPIC FREESKIER EILEEN GU DODGES QUESTIONS ABOUT CITIZENSHIP AFTER WINNING GOLD FOR CHINAUhlaender has lobbied the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to submit a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), asking for an additional Olympic spot for her. Fox News Digital has obtained a copy of the letter.”These actions circumvented the Olympic qualification principles, undermined fair competition, and ultimately deprived Ms. Uhlaender of the opportunity to compete in the XXV Milan-Cortina Winter Games,” the letter, signed by USOPC Chief of Sport & Athlete Services Rocky Harris, said. “It is undeniable that Ms. Uhlaender deserves to go to the Olympic Games.” Uhlaender previously submitted an appeal to the IBS, and says she had to pay a $5,000 fee to do it.IBSF’s Interim Integrity Unit investigated allegations of competition manipulation. It acknowledg
US Olympian speaks out after Team Canada withdrawal prevents her from qualifying for Milan-Cortina
