Note: This story contains graphic depictions of sexual abuse and may be disturbing to some readers or distressing to survivors of sexual assault.
MONTREAL – The lawyer for the alleged sexual assault victim of Canadian Olympic figure skater Nicolai Sorensen told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday that recent comments made by Sorensen should lead to his suspension from this week's world championships. He said the attack amounted to “retaliation” for the victims.
During Skate Canada's media briefing on March 6, Sorensen was asked about the allegations against her and the resulting investigation by the Canadian Sport Integrity Commission, and said the “intentions” of the alleged sexual assault victim were: He told reporters that he thought it was something like that. damage him.
“When something like that comes out in the media, it does some kind of damage, and I think that was the intent more than anything,” Sorensen said. He denies the charges.
Nancy Hogshead, an Olympic gold medalist and prominent Title IX attorney who represents victims, said Sorensen's comments “condemn the motives of those who report rape to OSIC; “This is a type of retaliation that is prohibited by OSIC.”
Citing rule 5.14.2 of OSIC's Universal Code of Conduct for Preventing and Combating Abuse in Sport, she said: “Retaliation includes intimidation, intimidation, harassment, coercion, negative interference with participation in sport; or any other conduct that would deter a reasonable person from engaging.” or participate in an investigation or disciplinary review process.”
Mr Hogshead said: “Nikolai Sørensen has no evidence as to the victim's motives. His statements were clearly aimed at discrediting the victim and therefore he is not responsible for filing the complaint.'' This is in retaliation for the victim's reputation. He should not be allowed to participate in the World Championships because he violates the rules prohibiting retaliation when he defames the victim for making a complaint.''
Abuse-Free Sport, a program run by OSIC, and the Canadian Center for Sports Dispute Resolution said in response to questions from USA TODAY Sports that they had known about Sorensen's comments since at least March 12. Spokespeople have repeatedly declined to comment on the matter.
Sorensen and his ice dancing partner Laurence Fournier-Beaudry are scheduled to compete at the world championships starting Friday.
Asked by USA TODAY Sports through his attorney for his reaction to Sorensen's comments, he said it was the first time the alleged sexual assault victim is speaking out.
“I had no intention of commenting during the investigation, but after seeing the defendant comment publicly, I felt compelled to say something now,” the woman said in a text message.
“When I applied to OSIC, my only intention was to ensure that potentially vulnerable people were safe from the accused should he decide to become a coach. . There his power relations will be even more dangerous than among his fellow athletes.”
“I want this case to be confidential, fair and to ensure that the best possible outcome prevails based on all the evidence, in a way that does not affect those who have to train or compete with the defendants.” “We wanted it to be thorough,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that my athletes were finally protected from my attackers and that no one had to face the horror that I faced in 2012 and the trauma that I have endured ever since.
“I am hopeful that this case will be solved, that it will set a precedent for other rapists that they cannot get away with such heinous crimes, and that our sport will encourage more victims. We will support you carefully and hope it will be safe for everyone.”
The woman's identity has not been determined because USA TODAY Sports does not release the names of victims of sexual assault allegations.
USA TODAY Sports reported in early January that Sorensen, one of the world's top-ranked ice dancers, was accused of sexual assault against an American figure skating coach and former skater on April 21, 2012, according to documents and emails. It was reported that the company was being investigated by OSIC. .
Documents say Mr. Sorensen held the woman against her will on a bed after a party at an apartment complex near Hartford, Connecticut. She was 22 and Sorensen 23 at the time.
“He pinned me above my collarbone with his left arm,” the woman said in a report filed with OSIC and the U.S. Center for Safe Sports, a copy of which was obtained by USA TODAY Sports. “He pushed down hard on my collarbone, inserted his penis into my vagina, and covered my mouth with his right hand, which took my breath away.”
The report continued: “At that point all sounds were almost inaudible and I almost suffocated from the pressure of his arm on my collarbone and chest. I pressed my arm against his waist trying to pull his penis out of me, but… I was struggling to breathe. At this point I feared for my life and lay limp as he raped me.”
Sørensen, 35, competed for his native Denmark early in his career and competed for Canada in the 2018-19 skating season. He became a Canadian citizen in September 2021. He placed ninth at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and fifth at last year's World Championships with Fournier Beaudry. They finished fifth at the 2023 Grand Prix Final in Beijing in early December.
In January, five days after the USA TODAY Sports article was published, they abruptly withdrew from the 2024 Canadian Championship because “participating would be a distraction,” Sorensen said. But they did not withdraw from competing in this week's world championships, also in Canada, and he did not respond to multiple attempts to contact him for comment on that decision.
The woman said she remained silent for years and did not contact police or sports officials because she feared she would be blamed and that no one would believe her, the report said.
She sought psychological treatment and considered criminal charges in Connecticut, but found the statute of limitations for such proceedings had passed, the report said.
Then, on July 22, 2023, she published an online article that included an interview in which Sorensen commented on the importance of keeping women safe in ice dancing.
“I couldn't believe the words that came out of my rapist's mouth,” the woman said, according to the report. “At that moment, it occurred to me that after he retired from competitive skating, mothers would have their daughters train with him (as a coach). I couldn't live with the guilt of not even talking about it.''
According to reports, the woman submitted a report to OSIC on the same day.
Documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports say the U.S. SafeSport Center has been notified of the allegations against Sorensen, but because Sorensen does not skate for the United States, the Center for SafeSport does not have jurisdiction at this time. . However, the document reveals that SafeSport has placed Sørensen on an “administrative hold,” which would prevent him from applying for membership in U.S. Figure Skating in the future (to coach figure skating in the U.S.). (the necessary procedures), after which SafeSport will begin its activities. research process.
