Canadians Withdraw

Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada, worn out by the whirlwind that followed their elevation to co-gold medalists with their Russian rivals at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, won’t defend their world pairs figure skating title.

Sale and Pelletier didn’t have time to prepare for the March 15-24 World Championships at Nagano, Japan, because of “the events of the last two weeks,” according to a statement from Skate Canada. “They have not decided at this point in time whether they will remain eligible for next year’s events.”

Sale and Pelletier finished second to Russians Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze at Salt Lake City. However, after a French judge said she had been pressured to vote for the Russians, the International Olympic Committee awarded duplicate gold medals to the Canadian duo.

Reigning women’s world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Michelle Kwan of Torrance hasn’t decided whether she will compete at the world meet, her agent said.