Skeleton: Canada under investigation as 2026 Winter Olympics qualifiers sabotaged | Olympic News
Canada has launched a strong defense against accusations that it deliberately removed four athletes from a skeleton race, a decision that dashed eventual winner Katie Uhlaender’s hopes of qualifying for the Winter Olympics.
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation is investigating after American Uhlaender alleged her chances of qualifying for the sixth Olympics were sabotaged by Canada’s decision to withdraw athletes from the North American Cup in Lake Placid.
The reduced field resulted in a decrease in the number of Olympic qualifying points available to Uhlaender, effectively ending the five-time Olympian’s hopes of reaching Milan Cortina.
Uhlaender said Canada head coach Joe Cecchini informed her of the plans before Sunday’s race and that she understood the decision was made to ensure Jane Channell qualified.
“I cried when I found out he had carried out this plan,” the 41-year-old said. “I didn’t know if it hurt more that my 20-year-old friend had just nailed my coffin, that my Olympic dream was over, or that my 20-year-old best friend would do something so horrible that hurt so many people.”
Uhlaender’s accusations prompted an investigation by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation’s integrity unit.
In a statement, the IBSF said: “Following recent discussions surrounding the withdrawal of several Canadian skeleton athletes from last weekend’s IBSF North American Cup in Lake Placid, the IBSF has asked its Integrity Unit to conduct an investigation into the incident.”
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton’s governing body strongly defended its decision, insisting its actions “were appropriate, transparent and aligned with both the welfare of the athletes and the integrity of the sport.”
He acknowledged that removing athletes had an unintended impact on the size of the field and the number of development points, but said the decision was made in consultation with the IBSF.
“The Lake Placid event presented unique circumstances because it consisted of three races in a single week instead of the standard two. Four of our athletes entered in the event are young and relatively new to the sport. All experienced a particularly difficult week on the track,” reads a BCS release.
“It was determined that continuing to race these athletes was not in their best interest. As a result, they were removed from any further competition at this venue this weekend. Our two most experienced athletes continued to compete.”
Denmark, Israel and Malta reportedly had athletes affected by the withdrawal and joined the United States in raising the issue with the International Olympic Committee’s athletes’ commission.
