Japan earthquake forces postponement of World Figure Skating Championships

The World Figure Skating Championships, set to take place in Japan March 21-27, have been postponed following the earthquake and tsunami.



After large parts of the country were devastated on Friday, the International Skating Union said it was not possible to host the seven-day event.



Britain had been set to send an eight-strong team to Tokyo.



Keith Horton of the National Ice Skating Association says it would not have been appropriate to compete.



It is the first time in 50 years the World Figure Skating Championships have been called off.



The 1961 championships in Prague were called off after an American delegation was killed when their plane crashed on landing in Brussels.



As well as the figure skating championships, April's new international team event in Yokohama has also been called off.