Arbitrator overturns suspension of Canadian figure skater Nikolaj Sorensen

[Skater Boy]

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/nikolaj-soerensen-judge-overturns-suspension-1.7566007

This is interesting news. It is being reported that an arbirator has overturned the suspension of Canadian ice dancer Nikolaj Sorensen It is further complicated in that his partner now is skating with Guillaume Cizeron and they will representing France at the Olympics most ikely if she gets her citizenship. I am floored. It sounds like at his age his skating career is ruined and over with the Olympics just around the corner and no partner.

 

[Mathman]

I see that the decision was based on a jurisdictional question and not on the merits of the case.

 

[FSFan1999]

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/nikolaj-soerensen-judge-overturns-suspension-1.7566007

This is interesting news. It is being reported that an arbirator has overturned the suspension of Canadian ice dancer Nikolaj Sorensen It is further complicated in that his partner now is skating with Guillaume Cizeron and they will representing France at the Olympics most ikely if she gets her citizenship. I am floored. It sounds like at his age his skating career is ruined and over with the Olympics just around the corner and no partner.

The case was overturned simply as he had had agreed to the terms and conditions without free will to say no as it was required by skate canada to compete (i.e. his agreement to follow the terms of conduct r.e. sexual assault). It says nothing on any other part of the case, or the merits of the case.

They can basically redo the case on the grounds he signed a different document in a previous season (that would still be valid), and get the same outcome (re-suspension). He only got off on a technicality.

 

[elektra blue]

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/nikolaj-soerensen-judge-overturns-suspension-1.7566007

This is interesting news. It is being reported that an arbirator has overturned the suspension of Canadian ice dancer Nikolaj Sorensen It is further complicated in that his partner now is skating with Guillaume Cizeron and they will representing France at the Olympics most ikely if she gets her citizenship. I am floored. It sounds like at his age his skating career is ruined and over with the Olympics just around the corner and no partner.

are we really crying over a rapist's missed opportunities? the world we're living in...

 

[el henry]

There has been discussion in the Canadian skating thread on this issue, and h/t to @saine for posting the link to the actual decision:

https://dispute.crdsc-sdrcc.ca/e/fileview.cfm?f=70919347C067B778F9F4B2CD15C5E77A&a=d

Although the DSO did not clear the first jurisdictional hurdle based on the arbitrator's finding that Sorensen had not agreed to retroactive application of the standards, my impression based on dicta in the opinion is that even if they had cleared that hurdle, she would have dismissed the case because they had no jurisdiction over the incident (not in Canada) or Sorensen (at the time not Canadian).

Of course, she did not need to make that finding, just my impression.

 

[Skater Boy]

Regardless he is done. I hope the complainant can heal regardless. I guess it adds to ice dancing drama which really is not at the paeak of talent but lots of drama and trauma.

 

[Kitt]

Realistically, what mother would want their daughter to be coached by him?

 

[FSFan1999]

Realistically, what mother would want their daughter to be coached by him?

Many parents have children coached by Nikolai Morozov for example. And many many other smaller name coaches who did things. It's not the same thing of course by any means, but when parents are desperate for success they resort to... drastic decision making? Often they believe they can protect their children from the issues the coach has or they don't see it as a threat.

 

[Kitt]

Many parents have children coached by Nikolai Morozov for example. And many many other smaller name coaches who did things. It's not the same thing of course by any means, but when parents are desperate for success they resort to... drastic decision making? Often they believe they can protect their children from the issues the coach has or they don't see it as a threat.

Maybe they think they can protect them.....until the first away competition where they can't be present. Personally, I would not want to be worrying about what could happen to my child.

 

[TontoK]

Realistically, what mother would want their daughter to be coached by him?

Hey, Richard Callaghan is coaching in Florida. I assume he has students. Sorensen will probably be fine. As @FSFan1999 said, almost anything is forgivable (by some people) if the expected outcome outweighs any perceived risks.

 

[ajingmarg]

Hey, Richard Callaghan is coaching in Florida. I assume he has students. Sorensen will probably be fine. As @FSFan1999 said, almost anything is forgivable (by some people) if the expected outcome outweighs any perceived risks.

Alina Gorbacheva chose to go to Rozanov for summer training. She said it was Rozanov who helped her through the difficult summer (last year) and to be motivated about competing again

 

[saine]

Lori Ward is reporting that an appeal is being heard about the decision to overturn the suspension, with a ruling expected in December:

Sorensen’s lawyers had objected to the new appeal being heard, however, several sources close to the case confirmed that late last month, the tribunal ruled that it will hear the new appeal. The next phase will focus on two key issues:

• Whether Sørensen signed the consent form under duress; and
• Whether he was a member of the Canadian skating federation in 2012.

Jurisdiction Dispute Continues in disgraced Olympian Assault Case

Survivor committed to “see it through to the end” while expressing her frustration with how the investigation is being handled.

brokenice.substack.com

 

[noskates]

Whoa - I thought Richard Callahan was banned for life. ????

 

[Mathman]

According to Wikipedia Callaghan was originally suspended for life, but in subsequent arbitration the suspension was reduced and ended in 2022, although he still cannot coach minors.

 

[solani]

I don't want to play devil's advocate here. I'm only thinking about safety and coaches at the moment. Parents and students protecting coaches etc. because my son is in a coaching environment that I don't feel comfortable with and we will make a switch asap. I expect a huge backlash and I want to remind myself of the level of deception that people are capable of.
I can't find the interview that the victim read, where Sorensen says that he wants to become a coach and that women's safety is important in ice dance. I have no doubt that the interview exist. Unleashing Gemini and Copilot on that topic didn't bring up results, except that the interview does exist.
So I thought "Who could have read the interview?" And the simple answer was:"Users at GoldenSkate!".

 

[Mathman]

.I expect a huge backlash...

I can't help in finding the Sorenson interview, but I will say this about backlash: You are the parent. If you do not feel comfortable with your son's coaching situation, bye, bye coach. You do not have to answer to any backlashers. Good luck going forward.

 

[saine]

I don't want to play devil's advocate here. I'm only thinking about safety and coaches at the moment. Parents and students protecting coaches etc. because my son is in a coaching environment that I don't feel comfortable with and we will make a switch asap. I expect a huge backlash and I want to remind myself of the level of deception that people are capable of.
I can't find the interview that the victim read, where Sorensen says that he wants to become a coach and that women's safety is important in ice dance. I have no doubt that the interview exist. Unleashing Gemini and Copilot on that topic didn't bring up results, except that the interview does exist.
So I thought "Who could have read the interview?" And the simple answer was:"Users at GoldenSkate!".

This is the closest I could find. I'm linking the Wayback Machine version since I'm not sure where it is on the new ISU site - https://web.archive.org/web/2023080...-everyone-in-figure-skating/?templateParam=15

It was published around the same timeframe. Sorensen doesn't talk about wanting to become a coach, I checked back on the original article with her. She didn't mention specifically that he said he wanted to become a coach in it, but it was the thought of him doing so.

 

[solani]

This is the closest I could find. I'm linking the Wayback Machine version since I'm not sure where it is on the new ISU site - https://web.archive.org/web/2023080...-everyone-in-figure-skating/?templateParam=15

It was published around the same timeframe. Sorensen doesn't talk about wanting to become a coach, I checked back on the original article with her. She didn't mention specifically that he said he wanted to become a coach in it, but it was the thought of him doing so.

Thank you! This has to be be the article. It must've been triggering for the victim, Sorensen expressing himself so very thoughtfully ...

 

[ladyjane]

I recall that article, and thought it was ironic that the ISU had chosen these two to feature this issue. Although at the time I did not know anything, the feeling of irony came later. Also very bad taste, but at the time I did not know.