Figure skating Grand Prix Final cancelled over travel rules

The Canadian Press

· Posted: Dec 02, 2021 8:38 AM EST | Last Updated: December 3, 2021

The caller COVID-19 variant has claimed different planetary sporting event.

Next week's ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final successful Osaka, Japan has been postponed due to the fact that of question restrictions amid the caller Omicron variant.

The International Skating Union said successful a connection that considering the analyzable epidemic concern involving question restrictions, quarantine requirements, information concerns and logistical challenges, the enactment of the lawsuit was highly challenging.

"The Japan Skating Federation and the section organizing committee tried their champion to find solutions but yet concluded that, regrettably, they are incapable to signifier and clasp the lawsuit arsenic planned," the connection said.

The Grand Prix Final gives skaters a accidental to marque their lawsuit for an Olympic spot earlier nationalist championships successful precocious December and January. 

"I americium disappointed astir the cancellation of the Grand Prix last successful Japan. However, I cognize that everyone's wellness is astir important," three-time satellite champion and Olympic favourite Nathan Chen wrote successful a substance connection to The Associated Press.

Canadian crystal dancers Natalie D'Alessandro and Bruce Waddell, and Wesley Chiu (men's singles) had qualified for the Junior Grand Prix Final.

Skate Canada said it "understands and is grateful that the wellness and information of each participants remains a apical priority."

"Although this quality is disappointing, it successful nary mode detracts from the outstanding performances of the Canadian athletes who qualified for the Grand Prix Final," Skate Canada's connection said. "Skate Canada congratulates and recognizes these athletes and their coaches for the outstanding performances successful the 2021-2022 Junior and Senior Grand Prix of Figure Skating series."

The ISU said it volition measure the anticipation of holding the Grand Prix Final astatine the extremity of the season.

The event was the lone planetary lawsuit matching the champion skaters crossed each 4 disciplines earlier the Winter Olympics successful Beijing successful February.

Earlier this week, the Winter Universiade successful Lucerne, Switzerland was cancelled. Also, the inferior women's tract hockey World Cup successful South Africa was cancelled. Canada's inferior squad is inactive successful Potchefstroom, awaiting flights home.

The Grand Prix Final scheduled for Beijing past play was besides cancelled owed to COVID-19.

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