The International Bobsled Skeleton Federation (IBSF) is conducting an investigation into Bobsled Canada Skeleton head coach Joe Cecchini’s actions at the North American Cup.
The former Greater Trail athlete made a decision to pull four of six female skeleton athletes from competing in the final of three races in Lake Placid, NY on Sunday.
U.S. skeleton competitor Katie Uhlander accused Cecchini of manipulating the system and alleges that he sabotaged her opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games.
By withdrawing the Canadian athletes, there were fewer than 20 competitors, and, as a result, reduced the number of Olympic Qualification points awarded to the winners. The 41-year-old Uhlander won the event but earned 90 points instead of the anticipated 120 she had amassed in the previous two races.
“Without the full points, my Olympic dream is likely crushed and that’s why it hurt so badly,” Uhlander said in an interview after the race.
The American athlete has represented the United States at five Winter Olympic Games, beginning in Torino 2006, and was looking to compete in her sixth Games in Milano, Italy next month.
Cecchini, also a former Olympian who raced in skeleton for Italy in the 2018 Games in South Korea, indicated that the decision was made to help Canadian athletes qualify and was in the “best interests of the National team.”
Three other nations also raised concerns. Denmark, Israel and Malta claimed their athletes were affected by the Canadian team’s action.
They joined the U.S. in addressing the athletes’ commission of the International Olympic Committee, leading to an investigation by the IBSF.
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton [BCS] responded in a statement saying it is aware of the allegations being made against their program.
“The Lake Placid event this week presented unique circumstances, as it consisted of three races in a single week rather than the standard two,” read the BCS statement.
BCS said that Cecchini and his performance team determined that continuing to race the younger athletes was not in the best interests of the athletes or the program and they were withdrawn from the competition while the two most experienced athletes competed.
“BCS recognized that withdrawing athletes had an unintended impact on the size of the field and, consequently, the number of development points allocated for the event. However, it is well understood within the sport that development circuits do not carry fixed points.”
The North American Cup is recognized as a development event for emerging athletes, not necessarily a venue for an athlete looking to race in their sixth Olympic Games.
The top skeleton racers from the U.S. and Canada were competing at the World Cup in St. Moritz, Switzerland that same weekend.
“The National Skeleton Program has always treated the development circuit as exactly that — a developmental environment — not a pathway for Olympic qualification,” the BCS added.
“BCS remains confident that its actions were appropriate, transparent, and aligned with both athlete welfare and the integrity of the sport.”
The IBSF said Monday, Jan. 12 that its Integrity Unit will conduct an investigation into the dispute and would not comment further.
The final IBSF World Cup skeleton event prior to the Olympics goes at Altenberg, Germany this week.
The 2026 Olympic Games starts Feb. 6. The women’s skeleton event is capped at 25 competitors, and the number of women represented per country is to be determined by rankings at the end of this weekend.
The top two countries will be able to enter three women, the following four placements two racers, and one competitor for each of the next 11 countries.
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