Trophée Eric Bompard figure skating event cancelled after Paris attacks

The Trophée Eric Bompard event has now been cancelled following the deadly attacks that left at least 127 people dead on Friday in Paris, the sports governing body announced Saturday morning.

At first the organizers announced that the competition would continue on Saturday, but just hours after that statement was released, it appeared the International Skating Union was given direction from the French government to cancel the event.

"The Minister of Interior Affairs of France, Bernard Cazeneuve, and the Mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppe, have informed the French Figure Skating Federation (FFSG) that the competition at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event 'Trophee Eric Bompard 2015' in Bordeaux has to be cancelled due to the state of emergency and national mourning days in France," a new statement from the ISU said. 

Earlier Saturday, the ISU expressed its sympathy for the victims, but initially decided to continue with the Grand Prix event following a minute of silence before the free programs on Saturday. 

Several Canadians, including Patrick Chan, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier were competing in Bordeaux, France, which is located more than five hours away from Paris.

Toronto's Chan was in fifth place after the short program. Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Toronto were in second place after Friday's short dance.

In pairs, first-year seniors Julianne Séguin of Longueuil, Que., and Charlie Bilodeau of Trois-Pistoles, Que., produced a personal best to stand third. Gabrielle Daleman, of Newmarket, Ont., is sixth in the ladies' competition.

Skate Canada reported that all Canadian skaters are safe in Bordeaux. Gilles confirmed the team's status on Twitter.

The short programs for all four disciplines — men, ladies, pairs and ice dance — finished hours before the attacks began. All four of the long programs were to take place on Saturday.