ISU sacks figure skating commentators over offensive on-air comment about Canadian Meagan Duhamel

The International Skating Union (ISU) has replaced its commentators at the figure skating world championships after a live microphone picked up one of them making a demeaning remark about retired Canadian skater Meagan Duhamel.

The ISU said on Thursday it was «shocked» by the language and it apologised to Duhamel.

Simon Reed made the comment at the end of Wednesday's pairs broadcast, referring to «that bitch from Canada», apparently believing his microphone was off.

It drew laughter from fellow commentator Nicky Slater.

«There is no place for harassing and abusive language or remarks and behaviour in sport and our society,» the ISU said on Twitter.

«The ISU took instant action with its service provider to suspend both commentators with immediate effect and neither will cover any future figure skating events for the ISU.»

It pledged to launch an «internal investigation».

«The ISU offered its sincere apologies to Ms Duhamel for the inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour of the two commentators,» the skating federation said.

Duhamel, a two-time world champion in pairs and an Olympic champion in the team event, had been critical of Reed and Slater's commentary earlier in the competition.

«Skating twitter, I hope we all enjoy some amazing skating today,» Duhamel wrote on Thursday.

«I have received personal apologies from Simon Reed and the ISU president and I don't think a public apology is necessary at this point. I appreciate and respect their apologies.»

AP