Katie Uhlaender knew the equation to qualify for the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. However, shortly before a race counting for qualifying for the Olympics, a massive withdrawal of Canadian athletes destroyed the skeleton racer’s chances of reaching Italy. The 41-year-old American had fulfilled her part of the contract: she won the North American Cup event in Lake Placid.
However, the total points awarded to the winner change depending on the number of participants. However, before the event, the Canadian team withdrew four of its six elements entered in the race, automatically dashing the hopes of the double skeleton world champion.
Uhlaender assured DW that the coach of the Canadian delegation, a long-time friend, had informed her of the plan he intended to carry out. “I didn’t know if what hurt me the most was that my 20-year-old friend had just nailed the coffin of my Olympic dream, or that my 20-year-old best friend was capable of something so horrible that hurt so many people,” she lamented to the German media.
“Manipulative behavior”
According to the American, Joe Cecchini had fomented this ploy to ensure the qualification of one of the Canadian athletes, Jane Channell. Denied a sixth Olympic appearance, Uhlaender urged the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) to investigate. While he also considers himself wronged, the president of the Danish federation followed suit. Carsten P. Wulf pointed out an attitude “in direct contradiction with the Olympic spirit” and “manipulative behavior”.
The Canadian federation (BCS) did not fail to defend itself. The BCS assured Reuters that it had done so “after carefully considering the health, safety and long-term development of the athletes”. She argued that the Lake Placid event had three races in one week compared to the usual two, a program that was too tough for four of its “young and relatively novice” elements, who had a “complicated” week on the track.
“It was determined that continuing to race these athletes was not in their best interest,” the Canadian team continued. The latter did not seek to deny the consequences of this withdrawal, but rejected any intention to harm competition. “However, it is well known in the sporting world that development circuits do not provide fixed points,” she insisted. The integrity commission of the International Federation, however, launched an investigation.
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