Report: Canadian champion ice dancer Nikolaj Sorensen accused of sexual assault

Nikolaj Sorensen, Canadian ice dance champion, is currently under scrutiny by Canada's Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner over a 2012 sexual assault allegation, as reported by USA Today. Sorensen had represented Denmark in his early career before moving to Canada in 2018. He and his partner, Laurence Fournier Beaudry, based in Montreal, are present national ice dance champions and ranked ninth in the 2022 Olympic Games. They are slated to participate in the Canadian championship in Calgary from January 8th to 14th.

The charge of sexual assault from 2012 was filed by a US figure skating coach and ex-skater in Hartford, Conn. Information regarding the allegation was shared with both the U.S. Centre for SafeSport and OSIC, as disclosed by USA Today. The allegation still requires most stringent legal verification.

Regarding the USA Today's coverage, Skate Canada's director of communications, Karine Bedard, stated they are aware of it but will not comment as it's an active investigation within OSIC. The athletes in question will also not provide any comments, she added.

Canada's Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner, operational since June 2022, operates independently and is tasked with addressing reports and complaints of abuse in sports. This news was initially published by The Canadian Press on Jan. 4, 2023.