Canadian ice dancer Nikolaj Sørensen suspended for a minimum of six years for alleged ‘sexual maltreatment’

Nikolaj Sørensen, a Canadian ice dancer, has been suspended for a minimum of six years due to allegations of “sexual maltreatment,” as announced by Canada’s Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) on Wednesday. This decision follows an investigation into an alleged sexual assault that took place in 2012 involving an American figure skater and coach, as confirmed by the alleged victim’s attorney, Nancy Hogshead, a former Olympic champion swimmer.

The suspension has been recorded on the OSIC’s ‘Abuse-Free Sport’ portal and can be contested or appealed. Sørensen will be eligible to apply for a reassessment of his status after serving the six-year term. Both parties involved have 21 days from the announcement to file an appeal with the Safeguarding Tribunal of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC).

Details surrounding the alleged assault remain murky; it is not clear whether the incident was reported to law enforcement or if a police investigation ever occurred. CNN has reached out to Sørensen for additional comments but has not received a response.

In an Instagram post earlier this year, Sørensen expressed his intent to fully cooperate with the investigation, stating, “These allegations are false, and I intend to strongly defend myself and my reputation.”

In response to the OSIC’s ruling, Skate Canada stated it is aware of the decision and will take the necessary steps to comply. The International Skating Union (ISU) has also announced that it will withdraw Sørensen from all ISU-sanctioned competitions and is implementing measures to adhere to the indefinite suspension.

The ISU emphasized the importance of a safe and respectful environment in sports, stating, “The ISU firmly believes that all athletes have the right to participate and develop in sport within a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment—free from any form of discrimination, harassment, abuse, violence, neglect, or exploitation.” They also reiterated their commitment to addressing misconduct with the utmost seriousness, recognizing its profound impact on those involved.

The alleged victim expressed gratitude for the support she has received during this difficult process. In a statement shared by her attorney, she described the investigation as “daunting” but stressed the critical nature of handling abuse allegations with care and thoroughness. “I hope the respondent will be able to finally take accountability for his actions and seek help to become a safe member of society outside of our sport,” she stated.

She voiced concern over the culture surrounding discussions of sexual assault within sports, noting how some comments made publicly seem to undermine the experiences of survivors. “I am sure that I am not the only survivor who was distraught to hear the supportive comments made about them on the air, completely belittling the experience of rape survivors and promoting the dangerous culture of victim silence in our sport,” she added. Her statement called for continued support for safe sport measures across various sports disciplines.

Hogshead further clarified that the OSIC investigation pertains to an incident that occurred when her client was 22 years old and Sørensen was 23. While the specific report detailing the allegations has not been released publicly, Hogshead confirmed that the incident occurred following a party in Hartford, Connecticut, in 2012.

This case highlights the ongoing struggle within sports to address issues of abuse and misconduct, emphasizing the need for safe environments where athletes can compete and thrive without fear. The suspension of Sørensen marks a significant step in the efforts to hold individuals accountable for their actions and protect those within the sporting community.