Just days before the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are set to begin, U.S. skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender is still fighting for a spot. The American is at the center of a controversy after the Canadian skeleton team made a decision at a recent race that ultimately cost her a sixth Olympic appearance.

Skeleton is an exhilarating Winter Olympic sport in which athletes race head-first down an ice track at speeds reaching over 80 miles per hour (130km/h). While the event can look basic at first glance,

The United States is the most successful skeleton nation in Winter Olympic history but with most of those medals now gathering dust, the arrival of the new mixed relay at Cortina is a timely opportunity to get back on the podium.

Skeleton made its Olympic debut at the 1928 Winter Games in Switzerland and became a permanent event in 2002 during the Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Former Tulane track and field athlete Jared Firestone will make history next week when he competes in the skeleton for Israel at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter

While at a glance Bobsled, Luge and Skeleton may appear similar, the three sliding events have distinct differences. (AP photo)

A storm is brewing at the Winter Olympics after skeleton officials banned Great Britain’s new helmet unveiled days before the competition. The well-funded Team GB outfit has tapped into Formula 1 and cycling partners to shoot to top of the pack in skeleton, dominated in recent times by men’s medal favourites Matt Weston and Marcus Wyatt.

Fourteen athletes from eight African nations are set to compete at the Winter Olympics, marking a significant increase from Beijing 2022.