Investigation clears Canada after skeleton withdrawals spark Olympics dispute

Canada's skeleton team have been cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation into the withdrawal of four athletes from last week's North American Cup in Lake Placid, the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) said ​on Thursday.

The probe was launched after Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS)pulled four women's sliders from the Lake Placid event, reducing ranking points for all competitors and ending American Katie Uhlaender's bid for a sixth Olympics despite winning the race.

Rival federations alleged the move was aimed ​at protecting Canada's Olympic quota for Milano Cortina 2026.

"The current IBSF Rules allow National Federations to withdraw athletes from competition at any ⁠time," IBSF said in a statement.

"The IIU [Interim Integrity Unit] dismissed the ‍complaints as the current ⁠IBSF Rules and Regulations did not give ​grounds for a breach of the International Rules, the Code of Conduct, and respectively the Code of Ethics."  

Despite clearing Canada, the IIU reminded the federation to uphold the spirit of fair play when acting within ⁠the rules.

"Whilst acting within the letter of the IBSF Code of Conduct, it is expected that all parties concerned should also act within the spirit of the Code, whose ‍aim is to promote fair play and ethical conduct at all times," it said.

The IBSF added that its Sport Committee will review the rules in the spring and may propose adjustments to prevent similar disputes.

BCS had earlier ⁠defended the decision as prioritizing athlete safety and development, while acknowledging the unintended impact on ranking points.

Uhlaender, 41, ​a double world champion, hoped to qualify for Milano Cortina via ranking points. The ​American told DW.com she learned of the withdrawal plan from Canada head coach Joe ‍Cecchini, a long-time friend, and said the decision "nailed my coffin" for a sixth Games.

BCS had offered a robust defense of ‍the decision, telling Reuters ⁠it was made with "careful consideration of athlete health, safety and long-term development as well as the needs of the program as a whole."

The withdrawals also affected Denmark, Israel and Malta. Their representatives plus those of the U.S. raised the issue with the International Olympic Committee's athletes' commission.