According to the Canadian Press on Monday, the International Skating Union has cancelled World Cup speed skating events in Canada this fall because of coronavirus. There were to be two World Cup short track speed skating events in Quebec this November, and another World Cup speed skating event in Calgary in December.
The two World Cup short track speed skating events were to take place in Montreal, Quebec, and Laval, Quebec. The event in Montreal was to be from November 6 to 8, and the event in Laval from November 13 to 15. The dates of the World Cup speed skating event in Calgary were December 11 to 13.
The World Cup events are significant for Canadian long track speed skaters and short track speed skaters for their preparation for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.However due to coronavirus, there is no slam dunk there will be an Olympic Winter Games two years from now either.
In 2019-20, Ivanie Blondin of Ottawa, Ontario was the World Cup champion in the women’s mass start. Team Canada was also the World Cup champion in the women’s team pursuit. In short track speed skating, three-time Olympic medalist Kim Boutin of Sherbrooke, Quebec was the World Cup champion last year in the women’s 500 metres. At the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, Boutin won a silver medal in the women’s 1000 metres and bronze medals in the women’s 500 metres and 1500 metres.
