US Ice Dancers Win Silver Amid Controversy at 2026 Olympics

MILAN — After a decade of dominance and a heartbreaking finish at the 2022 Winter Olympics, American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates secured a silver medal at the February 11 competition at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. The pair finished just behind France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who claimed the gold.

The victory marks the first Olympic medal for Chock and Bates as a team, capping a career that began in 2011 and has seen them rise to become three-time world champions. They were instrumental in Team USA’s gold medal win in the team event last weekend, setting the stage for a highly anticipated individual competition.

Despite delivering a season-best performance in their free dance, set to a flamenco rendition of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” Chock and Bates were narrowly edged out by the French duo, losing by just 0.46 points. Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron finished with a total score of 225.82, while Chock and Bates achieved 224.39.

The French victory, however, arrives amidst ongoing controversy. Cizeron previously partnered with Gabriella Papadakis for nearly two decades, achieving significant success including two Olympic medals and five world titles. Their partnership ended in December 2024, followed by Papadakis’s publication of a book detailing what she described as a deeply unequal and controlling dynamic during their partnership. Cizeron has denied the accusations.

Adding another layer of complexity, Cizeron’s current partner, Laurence Fournier Beaudry, has also faced scrutiny related to her former partner, Nikolaj Sorensen, who was suspended by Canada’s Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner over accusations of sexual assault. That suspension was later overturned on jurisdictional grounds, but the situation continues to cast a shadow over the duo’s success.

The bronze medal went to Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who celebrated their podium finish with visible emotion. A second U.S. Team, Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, finished fifth in their Olympic debut.

Chock and Bates’ journey to the podium has been marked by resilience and dedication. They entered the Games as favorites, having led the American team to victory in the team event. However, they faced a surprising second-place finish in the rhythm dance portion of the competition, setting the stage for a tense final 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,” Chock said after the competition, visibly moved. “We’ve got a lot to be proud of, and a lot to be grateful for, because we’ve had an incredible career.”

Bates acknowledged the physical toll of their sport, noting the “mileage on the body” after years of intense training and competition. The pair, who married in 2024, have become known for their innovative choreography and artistic expression on the ice.

While the silver medal may not have been the gold they sought, it represents a significant achievement for Chock and Bates, solidifying their legacy as one of the most accomplished ice dance teams in American history. When asked about their future plans, Bates indicated they were not immediately considering another Olympic cycle.

“The skating career is something short and finite, and the relationship is much, much longer,” Bates said in a previous interview, highlighting the enduring bond that has fueled their success both on and off the ice.