Nikolaj Sorensen announced Tuesday his intention to “strongly defend himself,” less than a week after the American daily USA Today revealed that the Canadian figure skater was the target of sexual assault allegations dating back to 2012.
“I am aware of the allegations made against me,” he wrote in an Instagram post. These allegations are false. » Of Danish origin, the 34-year-old skater also affirms that he will continue to “cooperate fully with the investigation by the BCIS [Office of the Commissioner for Integrity in Sport]”.
In the same message, Sorensen announced that he and his partner on the ice and in life, Laurence Beaudry-Fournier, were regretfully withdrawing from the National Championships, which take place this week in Calgary. “We believe that our participation could be disruptive and that sportsmanship must continue to be at the heart of the event,” he wrote.
Referring to a “very difficult situation” in a separate publication, Beaudry-Fournier also agreed: “We do not want our participation to distract from the dedication of so many Canadian athletes. » Affirming her commitment to safety in sport, she also assured that her partner was a “man of integrity, respectful and caring”.
Sorensen has been skating under the Canadian flag since 2019. He and Beaudry-Fournier finished in ninth place at the most recent Olympic Games in Beijing and fifth at the last World Championships.
According to what USA Today reported last Thursday, the victim was an American skater, who has now become a coach. The allegations have not been verified in court.
According to documents sent to BCIS and the US Center for SafeSport, the woman was 22 years old at the time. Sorensen was a year older than him at the time of the alleged events, which allegedly occurred in April 2012, after a party in Connecticut.
According to the complainant, Sorensen wanted to have sex with her. Once in bed, he allegedly held one arm, pressing on her collarbone, before going for full penetration, while Sorensen’s other hand covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming. The victim also says that it was impossible for her to breathe.