With France leading Europe in coronavirus cases during the second wave of the pandemic, Internationaux de France, the country's annual Grand Prix skating event, has been canceled following President Emmanuel Macron's announcement of a curfew for Grenoble, the host city for the event.

The tournament was originally due to take place in November.

The French Skating Federation stated that it "closely monitored the health authorities position on COVID-19, but given the evolution of the health crisis and their prudence for the health and safety of the athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers, the appropriate course of action was for the [federation] to cancel the event."

So far this season, four top-level skating competitions have been postponed or canceled because of the pandemic, starting with Skate Canada in October, followed by the 2021 Four Continents Championships scheduled for February, and the Grand Prix Final in Beijing which has been put back indefinitely.

Fans of figure skating will be able to enjoy some live action from afar. The Grand Prix season kicks off with Skate America in Las Vegas on Friday behind closed doors. The competition is limited to mostly U.S. skaters due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.

The 2020 Cup of China, an International Skating Union (ISU) Figure Skating Grand Prix, will be staged from November 6 to 8 in Chongqing, southwest China. The scale of the competition has been downsized compared to previous years.

(With input from agencies)