"For years, Katie Uhlaender had a goal that few athletes even dare to dream - to compete in both the Winter and Summer Olympics. An injury derailed that attempt. Now another dream appears to have been dashed for the daughter of former major league baseball player Ted Uhlaender - representing the United States in a record sixth consecutive Winter Olympics."
"Team Canada was found to have manipulated the outcome of the Lake Placid North American Cup in early January. Uhlaender, 41, won the race in skeleton, but the manipulation kept her from getting the requisite points to qualify for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games. An investigation by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) found that Canada purposely withdrew four athletes from the competition, reducing the number of points that could be awarded and making it mathematically impossible for Uhlaender to earn enough points to qualify."
"Madeline Parra admitted as much, telling The Canadian Press that her coaches "explained to us that it would be in the best interest for the way points had worked for [Canadian skeleton racer Jane Channell], so that we as a team can qualify two spots to the Olympics." Yet despite the IBSF finding that Canada breached its Code of Ethics, no action has been taken because IBSF rules also state that National Federations may withdraw athletes from competition at any time."
Katie Uhlaender, 41, aimed for a record sixth consecutive Winter Olympics after a prior attempt to compete in both Winter and Summer Games ended by injury. Team Canada manipulated the Lake Placid North American Cup outcome by withdrawing four athletes, which reduced available points and prevented Uhlaender from earning qualifying points despite winning the race. An IBSF investigation found Canada breached its Code of Ethics but cited rules allowing federations to withdraw athletes, so no sanction was applied. Madeline Parra said coaches explained the withdrawals were intended to help Jane Channell secure Olympic qualification. Uhlaender now seeks a discretionary entry appeal.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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