French skating President "absolutely sorry" after Paris attacks force cancellation of Grand Prix event

Didier Gailhaguet said he was "absolutely sorry" after the cancellation of the event in Bordeaux ©Getty Images

International Skating Union (ISU) Presidency hopeful Didier Gailhaguet said he is "absolutely sorry" and "disappointed" after the cancellation of the Trophee Eric Bompard due to the Paris terror attacks.

The atrocities in the French capital yesterday has led to a string of sporting events in the city and across France being called off, with day two of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event abandoned today in Bordeaux.

Gailhaguet, the French Federation of Ice Sports President who has announced his intention to replace outgoing ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta next year, was reportedly against the decision to cancel, along with the ISU.

The matter was taken out of their hands after France's Minister of Interior Affairs Bernard Cazeneuve and the Mayor of Bordeaux Alain Juppe, opted to pull the plug.

"We have to comply with it," Gailhaguet is quoted as saying by icenetwork, in a speech made to skaters and coaches one-and-a-half hours before the action was due to start.

"Due to the day of mourning in France and, most of all, the state of emergency in France, the French Government has decided to cancel the trophy, the fourth stage of the Grand Prix.

"The French Federation and the ISU are completely devastated and extremely disappointed.

"Even though we had nothing to do with the decision, we feel sorry for the skating family."

Russia's Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov perform on day one of the Trophee Eric Bompard yesterday, which has now been cancelled ©Getty Images

So far 128 people have been confirmed dead in Paris after simultaneous attacks across the city, including at the Stade de France, the proposed showpiece of the 2024 Olympics should the French bid for the Games be successful.

Peter Krick, the ISU's figure skating sport director, is present in Bordeaux, which is nearly 600 kilometres from the capital.

"I have informed Ottavio Cinquanta of the decision of the French Government," he said.

"We're sorry for it."

The cancellation after the first day of action had already taken place has implications for the Grand Prix season, including qualification for the Grand Prix final, and the ISU Council will have to make a decision on how to proceed.

"We'll all do our utmost to help you," said Gailhaguet, who reportedly concluded his speech by singing the French national anthem.

An ISU statement added: "The International Skating Union has acknowledged the decision.

"The International Skating Union and the French Figure Skating Federation express their deepest sympathy to the victims of the despicable terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13."

Gailhaguet, a multiple national champion ice skater, has announced his bid for the ISU's top job, despite his involvement in the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics scandal, which began when Russians Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze won the gold medal in the pairs event, despite making a clear technical error when Sikharulidze stepped out of a double axel.

Gailhaguet was accused by French judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne, in claims she later retracted, of putting pressure on her to favour the Russians over Canada's Jamie Sale and David Pelletier.

The Canadians were eventually awarded duplicate gold medals, while both Gailhaguet and Le Gougne were handed three years bans.

Other sports to have been cancelled in France include football, rugby union, taekwondo, handball and volleyball.

France has declared a state of emergency following the attacks, with militant group Islamic State claiming responsibility.