Figure skating-Skate Canada halts major events in Alberta over transgender law

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FILE PHOTO: Jan 14, 2024; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Group Finale performed by all the athletes in Exhibition Gala during the 2024 Canadian National Figure Skating Championships at WinSport Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports/ File Photo

REUTERS

Dec 16 - Skate Canada has decided to stop hosting major events in Alberta after a review of the Canadian provinces legislation ‍on ​the participation of transgender athletes in womens ‍sport, the national governing body said on Tuesday.

The legislation, which came into ​effect ​in September, excludes athletes assigned male at birth from participating in womens sports.

Skate Canada considers a variety of criteria when ‍selecting host locations for its national events, Skate Canada, which allows ​athletes to participate in ⁠the gender category in which they identify in domestic competitions, said in a statement.

Following a careful assessment of Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, ​Skate Canada has determined that we are unable to host events in the ‌province while maintaining our ​national standards for safe and inclusive sport.

According to Skate Canada, the decision applies only to national- and international-level events and does not affect the ability of Alberta skaters to participate in Skate Canada programming and competitions.

Skate Canada also said it will continue to ‍monitor legislative developments in the province and will reassess hosting ​opportunities as circumstances evolve.

There were no upcoming national or international events scheduled ​to be held in Alberta, which held ‌the Skate Canada Challenge