Canada's skeleton athletes were cleared of charges that they deliberately manipulated a qualifying event for the Winter Olympics, thereby denying competitors from other nations a chance to secure their place.
US skeleton veteran Katie Uhlaender alleged the team from Canada of withdrawing a majority of its entered athletes from a recent event in New York. She claimed this shrunk the competition, making a lower points pool available. Although she took first place, the American athlete did not secure her qualifying position for the Milan-Cortina Games.
“Existing federation regulations allow member nations to pull competitors from competition at any time,” declared the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF).
Following an investigation, the federation announced it would take no action, dismissing the complaints as there was no breach of its code.
In response, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton stood by the withdrawals, pointing to competitor health and the need for recovery. The organization asserted that some athletes had competed extensively that week and the move was “correct, transparent and in keeping with both athlete welfare and the sport's fairness.”
Representatives of several affected nations had voiced “serious concerns” about the qualification process.
The 41-year-old athlete, the Milan-Cortina Games represent her final Games. While she can still qualify, the likely American berths are expected to go to Kelly Curtis and Mystique Ro. She is a 2012 world gold medalist whose closest Olympic finish was fourth place in Sochi 2014.
The controversy comes during a time of heightened tension in sports between the two North American nations. Recent political rhetoric and trade disputes have fueled a intense sporting rivalry. Notable recent events include the 4 Nations Face-off and a thrilling World Series featuring clubs in the neighboring nations.
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