Canadian figure skater Nikolaj Sorensen has been suspended for a minimum of six years by the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner due to allegations of sexual maltreatment. The suspension, announced on Wednesday, is recorded on the abuse-free sport registry and is open to challenge or appeal.
Skate Canada, the official governing body of figure skating in Canada, acknowledged the decision from Abuse-Free Sport and expressed its commitment to complying with the imposed ban. The ban stems from an investigation into accusations that Sorensen sexually assaulted an American figure-skating coach and former skater back in 2012 in Hartford, Connecticut. Sorensen has refuted the allegation, emphasizing that it has not been verified in a court of law.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Sorensen and his skating partner Laurence Fournier Beaudry continued to compete last season. However, in January, they withdrew from the Canadian figure skating championships in Calgary. Subsequently, in March, they participated in the world championships held in Montreal, their home base.
Established in June 2022, the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner was created to manage complaints and investigations concerning national-level athletes within sports organisations that have endorsed the programme. The aim was to provide an independent body for handling abuse complaints following a scandal involving Hockey Canada in the same year.
Since August 2023, the office has announced a total of eight suspensions, including Sorensen’s case. Notably, the 35-year-old figure skater is among six individuals suspended for sexual maltreatment. Another individual suspended from Skate Canada is Tyler Myles, a coach facing permanent ineligibility due to various infractions.
The decision to suspend Sorensen is part of broader efforts to address and prevent maltreatment in sports, as outlined in the Universal Code of Conduct. The ongoing investigations and actions taken by regulatory bodies highlight the seriousness of addressing such misconduct within the sporting community.