IOC responds to USOPC letter on Katie Uhlaender's petition for Olympic spot after Team Canada controversy

Five-time Team USA Olympic skeleton athlete tells Fox News Digital about her battle to get a spot in the upcoming Winter Games after Team Canada withdrew from a recent competition, affecting her ability to earn points for qualification.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) addressed a letter from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) petitioning for a spot in the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games for American skeleton veteran Katie Uhlaender. 

Uhlaender recently lost out on the chance to qualify for a spot after Team Canada withdrew athletes from the North America Cup earlier this month, reducing the amount of points the competition could award. The reduction made it mathematically impossible for Uhlaender to earn enough points to qualify. 

Uhlaender appealed the outcome to the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), but no change was made. The IOC has now referred to the IBSF's decision. 

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Katie Uhlaender of Team United States poses for a portrait during the Team USA Beijing 2022 Olympic shoot in Irvine, California, on Sept. 12, 2021. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Team USA)

"This matter relates to the application of the IBSF’s rules and procedures in connection with an IBSF organized event. The IOC understands that IBSF has already responded to Ms Uhlaender on this matter," the IOC said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

The IOC's statement did not acknowledge Uhlaender's request for a wild-card berth to Milan Cortina. 

Belgium, South Korea, the Virgin Islands, Malta, Israel and Denmark's teams have all put their support behind Uhlaender's efforts, sending letters of support to the USOPC to try and have the event