An international investigation has cleared Canada's skeleton team of allegations they manipulated a qualifying event to block rival athletes, including a prominent American, from reaching the upcoming Winter Olympics.
Allegations of Deliberate Sabotage
The controversy erupted after Katie Uhlaender, a five-time US Winter Olympian in skeleton, accused the Canadian team of a deliberate scheme. She alleged that Canada withdrew four of its six athletes from a crucial race in Lake Placid, New York, last weekend. This move, she claimed, was designed to reduce the number of qualifying points available, making it harder for athletes from other nations to secure their spots for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games.
Uhlaender, who won the event, stated she was personally informed of the plan by Joe Cecchini, the head coach of Canada's skeleton team. The reduced field meant her victory yielded fewer points, ultimately costing her a place at the Olympics.
Investigation Finds No Rule Breach
The International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) launched an inquiry into the serious claims. On Thursday, the federation announced it would take no action. In a statement, the IBSF clarified that its current regulations permit national federations to withdraw athletes from competition at any time.
The investigation concluded that Canada's actions did not breach any international rules, the Code of Conduct, or the Code of Ethics. The decision has sparked debate about the fairness of the qualification system, with coaches from the US, Denmark, Israel, and Malta—all nations affected by the withdrawals—having previously voiced "serious concerns."
Canada Cites Athlete Welfare
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton defended its team's actions, providing a different rationale for the withdrawals. The organisation stated that some of the athletes pulled from the Lake Placid event had already competed in several races that week and required rest.
The governing body insisted the decision was "appropriate, transparent and aligned with both athlete welfare and the integrity of the sport." This explanation stands in stark contrast to the allegations of tactical manipulation levelled by Uhlaender and others.
For Uhlaender, now 39, the ruling likely marks the end of her Olympic journey. A world champion in 2012, her best Olympic finish was fourth at the 2014 Sochi Games. With the next Winter Olympics not until 2030, when she will be 45, competing at a sixth Games appears improbable.
The sporting dispute occurs against a backdrop of heightened rivalry between Canada and the United States, extending beyond the ice and track into the political and trade arenas.
