Canadian Figure Skater Nikolaj Soerensen Suspended for 6 Years Following Sexual Assault Allegation
Canadian figure skater Nikolaj Soerensen has been handed a minimum six-year suspension for “sexual maltreatment,” according to an announcement by the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) on Wednesday. The ban, listed on the Abuse-Free Sport registry, is subject to appeal.
The investigation stems from an allegation that Soerensen sexually assaulted a U.S. figure skating coach and former skater in Hartford, Connecticut, in 2012. At the time, Soerensen was 23 years old. Despite denying the accusation, which has not been tested in court, the suspension was issued following OSIC’s inquiry.
Skate Canada, the governing body of figure skating in the country and a signatory to the Abuse-Free Sport program, confirmed that it is complying with the decision. The organization stated, “We have been made aware of the ruling from Abuse-Free Sport and are taking the necessary steps to enforce the ban.”
A Career Interrupted
Soerensen, 35, and his skating partner, Laurence Fournier Beaudry, were still active in competitions during the investigation. They participated in the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, just months after withdrawing from the national championship in Calgary due to the ongoing case.
In January, they secured a silver medal at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai. Prior to representing Canada, Soerensen competed for Denmark, his birth country, until he switched allegiance in 2018. This was prompted by Beaudry’s inability to obtain Danish citizenship before the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
The suspension comes as a major blow to Soerensen’s skating career, especially following the duo’s national title win at the 2023 Canadian Championships in Oshawa, Ontario, and their representation of Canada at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
OSIC’s Role in Safeguarding Athletes
OSIC, which was launched in June 2022 to independently investigate complaints from national-level athletes, was established in response to abuse scandals, such as the one involving Hockey Canada. Since August 2023, OSIC has announced eight suspensions, with Soerensen being the sixth individual suspended for sexual maltreatment.
Soerensen’s suspension follows that of Tyler Myles, another Skate Canada member, who received permanent ineligibility for boundary violations and sexual maltreatment. However, Myles’ case is currently under challenge regarding the applicability of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS).
The sport’s governing bodies, along with the Canadian figure skating community, will now look towards safeguarding athlete welfare and maintaining transparency in light of such serious allegations.