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,

Here is everything to know about skeleton at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, including competition preview, top athletes, how to watch and schedule.

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

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.

Katie Uhlaender petitioned the Court of Arbitration for Sport and accused her "best friend" on the Canadian team of acting in bad faith

As the Winter Olympics return, exhilarating speed-centric sports such as alpine skiing, luge and bobsleigh take the spotlight. But which is fastest? (AP photo)

Mystique Ro is about to make her Winter Olympics debut. The 31-year-old, who was born in Oceanside, California and raised in Nokesville, Virginia, is looking to make her mark when she takes the stage at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

The former college track and field athlete will make her Winter Olympic debut next month with the U.S. Skeleton team