While France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron and Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Porrier celebrated their new Olympic medals, American ice dancing stars Madison Chock and Evan Bates quietly skated off with silver. Despite being three-time reigning world champions, Chock and Bates were edged out for gold, leaving them with a “bittersweet” feeling after a legendary career that spanned four Olympic Games together. But did a controversial pairing and a shocking upset really tarnish what should have been a golden moment for Team USA?
Key Takeaways
- Madison Chock and Evan Bates took silver with a total score of 224.39, just 1.43 points behind the gold medalists from France.
- Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, in their first season together, won gold with a total score of 225.82, despite facing controversy surrounding Fournier Beaudry’s previous partner.
- Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada secured the bronze medal, marking their first Olympic podium finish after expressing dissatisfaction with scoring throughout the season. Their final score was 214.43.
- Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, making their Olympic debut, finished in a surprising fifth place, signaling a promising future for the young American pair.
Why Was This Silver Medal ‘Bittersweet’ For Chock and Bates?
Madison Chock, 33, and Evan Bates, 36, entered the 2026 Winter Olympics as heavy favorites in ice dance. As three-time reigning world champions, expectations were sky-high. They had already contributed significantly to Team USA’s gold medal in the team event with two stellar performances. Their matador-themed free dance, set to a flamenco version of “Paint It Black,” earned them a season-best score of 134.67, giving them an overall total of 224.39. However, as NBC figure skating analyst Johnny Weir noted, “Sometimes, even a season-best isn’t enough when the competition is this fierce. The margins are razor thin at this level.”
The “bittersweet” sentiment stemmed from their pursuit of that elusive individual Olympic gold. They led the competition until France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron took the ice. Their performance, set to music from “The Whale,” earned them 135.64 points, for an overall total of 225.82. That was just enough to snatch the gold, leaving Chock and Bates with silver. Despite the disappointment, Chock expressed pride in their performance: “We really gave it our all, and I wouldn’t change anything about how we approached each performance, what we delivered in each performance. We really gave it our best.” It was a sentiment echoed by Bates, who, while unsure about their future, acknowledged the incredible journey they’ve shared.
Can Controversy Overshadow Olympic Glory?
The victory of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron was not without its own complexities. This marked their first season together, making their gold medal win even more remarkable. However, their partnership has been controversial since its inception. Fournier Beaudry previously represented Canada with Nikolaj Sorensen, who is also her romantic partner. Sorensen faced a six-year suspension following allegations of sexual assault, a suspension that was later overturned on jurisdictional grounds but remains pending. She has publicly supported him. “The U.S. depth across all four disciplines is what’s really impressive,” noted three-time Olympian Michelle Kwan, now serving as a team advisor. “It’s not just about one skater—it’s the collective strength.”
Furthermore, Cizeron’s former partner, Gabriella Papadakis, with whom he won gold at the 2022 Olympic Games, released a book earlier this year accusing him of being “controlling” and “demanding.” Cizeron has refuted these claims, calling them a “smear campaign.” Despite these off-ice challenges, Cizeron emphasized the strength of their partnership: “I think from the beginning we tried to create a bubble where we really supported each other through everything.” These controversies add another layer to the narrative, raising questions about how personal issues intersect with athletic achievements on the Olympic stage. According to DraftKings, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron’s odds of winning went from +200 to -110 after the rhythm dance.
Players/Teams Mentioned
- Madison Chock: 33 years old, three-time World Champion (2023, 2024, 2025), 2026 Olympic Silver Medalist.
- Evan Bates: 36 years old, three-time World Champion (2023, 2024, 2025), 2026 Olympic Silver Medalist.
- Laurence Fournier Beaudry: Won the 2026 European Championships and two Grand Prix titles with partner Guillaume Cizeron before taking gold at the Olympics.
- Guillaume Cizeron: 2022 Olympic gold medalist (with Gabriella Papadakis), 2026 Olympic Gold Medalist (with Laurence Fournier Beaudry).
- Piper Gilles: Two-time World Runner-up with partner Paul Porrier. Secured a bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
What This Means
- For Chock and Bates: This silver medal, while hard-earned, may be their final Olympic achievement, as Bates hinted at possible retirement. Fantasy figure skating players should monitor their decisions for next season.
- For Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron: Their controversial yet victorious partnership has shaken up the ice dancing world. Their odds of winning the next World Championship are currently +150 on FanDuel.
- For Team USA: The emergence of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik offers a promising future for American ice dancing, giving fans hope for continued success.
Source: www.espn.com
