Bitter Winter Olympics feud breaks out between USA and Canada with American skeleton star accusing rival of sabotage: ‘You just f***ed us’

A bitter row between the United States and Canada has broken out ahead of the Winter Olympics amid a dispute over ‘unethical’ tactics used at a qualifying event.

On Sunday, Joe Cecchini, head of the Canadian women’s skeleton team, withdrew four out of six athletes competing in a qualification event in Lake Placid, New York.

The tactical move meant that the size of the field was reduced to under 21 and, as a result, fewer qualifying points were available to those who competed on the day. 

Despite winning her race on the day, this came as a crushing blow to USA star Katie Uhlaender, who did not amass enough points to qualify for the Winter Games. 

Shortly after the race, Uhlaender accused Ceccinhi of pulling the four riders out the race to prevent American stars catching the Canadians in the qualifying rankings. 

According to The Times, Ceccinhi later called Uhlaender in an attempt to explain his reasoning for the move, only to be met with a tearful response: ‘You just f***ed us!’.

Meanwhile, according to DW, five-time Winter Olympain Uhlaender also said: ‘I cried when I found out he went through with this plan.

‘I didn’t know if it hurt more that my friend of 20 years just nailed my coffin, my Olympic dream is over. Or, that my best friend of 20 years is doing something so horrible that hurts so many people,’ she continued. 

Cecchini reportedly told Uhlaender that he is not responsible for ‘uplifting’ athletes and, instead, had to protect the Canadian team’s position in the IBSF rankings.

In the days that followed, four national skeleton coaches – including the USA’s own Andrew Blaser – wrote to the athletes’ commission at the International Olympic Committee about the incident. 

According to The Times, the email said: ‘The Canadian skeleton programme, under the direction of head coach Joe Cecchini, withdrew healthy female athletes in a manner that appears intended to reduce the size of the competition field below the threshold required for full participation points.

‘At the team captains’ meeting prior to the race, Canada confirmed four to five female entries. Following the conclusion of races five and six of the North American Cup race at the same venue, all six Canadian women reported to the track for North American Cup activities.

‘At that time, they were informed by the head of the Canadian programme that they had been scratched from the race. These athletes were properly registered, eligible, and had competed in races only days earlier.

‘In skeleton, the number of athletes who start a race directly affects how many Olympic qualification points are awarded. By withdrawing athletes at this stage, the overall field size will be reduced, which lowers the points available to all competitors.

‘This situation raises serious concerns regarding fair play, ethical governance, and the integrity of the Olympic qualification process and Olympic values. 

‘It also placed Canadian athletes in a difficult position, where they expressed a desire to compete but felt unable to raise concerns or advocate for themselves without fear of negative repercussions.

‘Given the multi-nation impact and the implications for Olympic qualification, I respectfully request that this matter be reviewed to determine whether further inquiry or intervention is warranted. Several nations are seeking clarification and accountability regarding this incident.’

Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, in a statement, defended the decision to withdraw their athletes and said it was ‘appropriate, transparent and aligned with athlete welfare and the integrity of the sport’. 

In a statement provided to the Daily Mail, they added: ‘Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) is aware of allegations being made against our program, following the decision to remove four of our younger athletes from the Lake Placid America’s Cup race today.

‘Over the past four years, BCS has been engaged in a comprehensive rebuild of the Canadian skeleton program, with a strong emphasis on integrating new and young athletes into the development pathway. 

‘Decisions regarding competition participation are made on an ongoing basis, with careful consideration of athlete health, safety, and long-term development, as well as the needs of the program as a whole. You may have noticed we have been very careful on who we race, and when, at the elite and development level – we did not race any men at last year’s World Championships in Lake Placid as a result.

‘The Lake Placid event this week presented unique circumstances, as it consisted of three races in a single week rather than the standard two. Four of our athletes entered in the event are young and relatively new to the sport. All experienced a particularly challenging week on the track.

‘Following a collective assessment by the coaching and performance team, it was determined that continuing to race these athletes was not in their best interests, nor in the best interests of the program. As a result, they were withdrawn from further competition at that venue this weekend. Our two most experienced athletes continued to compete today’.

However, Uhlaender later fired back. According to DW, she said: ‘[Cecchini] did not have to do that. He did it because he could. And it wasn’t to protect his athletes; it was to manipulate the system.

‘He waited until after everyone was registered and gave the illusion that the Canadians were going to be competing. He wanted to make sure that we could not get full points.’

Uhlaender, two-times skeleton world champion and five-time Winter Olympian. Cecchini, meanwhile, competed for Italy at the 2018 Winter Games.