The International Skating Union has announced the postponement of two Beijing 2022 test events ©Getty Images

The International Skating Union (ISU) has announced the postponement of two Beijing 2022 test events, which were scheduled to take place in the Chinese capital in December.

The impacted events are the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, which was due to be held from December 10 to 13, and an ISU Short Track World Cup event, which was due to take place from December 18 to 20.

Both events were due to take place at the Capital Indoor Stadium, which is scheduled to host figure skating and short track speed skating during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Skating's governing body cited the proximity to festive holidays and national Championships as reasons behind the decision, while also highlighting that the number of participants could be affected depending on the status of quarantine regulations.

In July, the Chinese Government announced that international sports events could not be held in the country owing to the coronavirus situation.

Beijing 2022 test events were listed as the only exception to the rule, meaning that the ISU competitions could still go ahead.

The ISU said it would assess whether competitions could take place under its hub concept in early 2021 ©Getty Images
The ISU said it would assess whether competitions could take place under its hub concept in early 2021 ©Getty Images

The ISU says it is "evaluating the possibilities" of rescheduling the Olympic test events.

The ISU has also announced the postponement of a World Cup Short Track Speed Skating competition due to be held in Seoul, Korea, from December 11 to 13.

An update was also given regarding four cancelled ISU World Cup Speed Skating competitions.

The events, which were due to take place in Poland, Norway, United States and Canada throughout November and December, could potentially be replaced by a hub concept, based in the Netherlands, according to the ISU Council.

Following a report received by a working group, the ISU Council said: "In principle the hub concept is a valid option to achieve the Council’s objective to give skaters the best possible opportunities to compete internationally provided that the health and safety of the participants can reasonably be ensured."

However, following feedback from member nations, who said they did not wish to commit to competing in international events taking place under the hub concept this year, the ISU said it was looking into whether events could be held under the hub concept in early 2021.