Canadian ice dancer reportedly under investigation by integrity commission for alleged sexual assault

USA Today has reported that Canadian ice dance champion Nikolaj Soerensen is under investigation by Canada’s Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner for an alleged sexual assault in 2012.

Soerensen, who competed for his home country of Denmark until switching to Canada in 2018, is scheduled to compete at the Canadian championship Jan. 8-14 in Calgary.

Soerensen and Laurence Fournier Beaudry, based in Montreal, are the reigning national ice dance champions and placed ninth in the 2022 Olympic Games.

Citing a obtained report made to both OSIC and the U.S. Centre for SafeSport, USA Today said an American figure skating coach and former skater made the complaint about the alleged assault that happened in Hartford, Conn.

The allegation has not been tested in court.

CBC Sports has not independently confirmed the report.

“We are aware of the USA Today article that has just come out, but because this is an active case within OSIC, we cannot comment and our athletes will not be commenting as well,” Skate Canada director of communications Karine Bedard said Thursday.

Skate Canada said later in a statement all complaints for misconduct go through OSIC “to ensure an independent review, investigation and disposition.”

“As a program signatory, Skate Canada complies with any directives of Abuse-Free Sport and its agents, including the director of sanctions and outcomes.”

Soerensen, Fournier Beaudry scheduled to compete

As of Thursday, Skate Canada expects Soerensen and Fournier Beaudry to compete in nationals.

“As far as we know, Nikolaj and Laurence are still registered at the moment,” Skate Canada told CBC Sports.

All nationally-funded sport bodies were required to become signatories.

“In order to protect the integrity of the investigative process and its outcome, the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner operates under confidentiality parameters and does not comment on ongoing matters,” a Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada spokesperson said in a statement.

“While individuals involved in these matters are also required to adhere to Abuse-Free Sport’s confidentiality policy, it’s application is limited to information that is received, collected, or generated in the context of the Abuse-Free Sport complaint management process.”