U.S. skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender has formally requested a wildcard entry into the 2026 Winter Olympics from the International Olympic Committee. This request comes after Canada’s skeleton team withdrew four athletes from a recent competition in Lake Placid, USA, causing a reduction in available ranking points and ultimately ending Uhlaender’s chances of qualifying for the upcoming Milano-Cortina Olympics.
Uhlaender, a two-time world champion who achieved a personal best fourth-place finish in the 2014 Olympics, alleged that Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) had manipulated the race, adversely affecting qualification points for athletes from multiple countries. In response, she emphasized that her request was not seeking preferential treatment but rather aimed at preventing further harm and preserving the integrity of Olympic sports.
BCS, following an investigation, was exonerated by the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation from any misconduct regarding the athlete withdrawals. The organization explained that the decision to withdraw the athletes was made out of safety considerations, acknowledging the unintended consequences on the competition field size.
Uhlaender announced her intention to involve the Court of Arbitration for Sport in addressing the situation.