BCS releases Kaillie Humphries allowing her to try out for US team

CALGARY – Kaillie Humphries has been released from Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS), making her eligible to compete for a slot on the American team.

Humphries stepped away from competition in October before the World Cup season began.

In an interview with the CBC released a few weeks ago, she said that the break was because of an ongoing harassment investigation.

Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton sent a release letter Saturday afternoon, saying it was not a decision the board of directors took lightly.

“Alongside our stakeholders, we carefully weighed all the relevant factors in this important and complex decision of releasing a medal-potential athlete to one of our top competitors,” read “a letter to Canadians” from the BCS, adding Humphries is an “integral part” of the Canadian team.

“Ultimately, we firmly believe that supporting our current athletes and the positive culture they have developed as a team will foster the environment we need to successfully grow our sport and slide onto the international podium both now, and in the future,” the letter goes on.

“These athletes and coaches deserve the opportunity to focus on their pursuit of excellence.”

Humphries, although originally denied a court injunction to be released in order to compete in the states, had participated in events south of the border.

She was recently in Lake Placid, New York for push trials, which are not regulated by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and therefore did not require her release from Canada to participate.

READ MORE: Humphries participates in USA bobsled push trials in unofficial role

The 34-year-old Calgary native has competed at three Olympics, winning gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games and the 2014 Sochi Games in the two-woman bobsleigh.

She also took bronze at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games in the same event.

-with files from the Canadian Press

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