ISU Defends Skating Scores as US Duo Consider Appeal After Olympic Silver

MILAN – The ice dance competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan has been overshadowed by controversy following the narrow victory of France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron over Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates. The International Skating Union (ISU) has defended the judging, but the outcome has sparked calls for greater transparency and accountability within the sport.

Chock and Bates settled for silver after a free dance where they were assessed lower scores by judge Jezabel Dabouis, who favored the French duo by nearly eight points. Had Dabouis’ score been removed from the calculation, the American team would have claimed the gold medal. The close margin and the significant disparity in scoring have led to accusations of bias and a renewed debate over the subjectivity inherent in figure skating judging.

The ISU, in a statement released on February 13, 2026, acknowledged the range of scores given by different judges, stating, “It is normal for there to be a range of scores given by different judges in any panel and a number of mechanisms are used to mitigate these variations.” The ISU affirmed its “full confidence in the scores given and remains completely committed to fairness.” However, this reassurance has done little to quell the concerns of Chock and Bates, or the wider skating community.

Chock, speaking to CBS News, expressed the need for greater transparency in the judging process. “It would definitely be helpful if it’s more understandable for the viewers, to just see more transparent judging and understand… what’s really going on,” she said. She also advocated for a more rigorous vetting process for judges, adding, “I think it’s also important for the skaters that the judges be vetted and reviewed to make sure that they are also putting out their best performance. Because there’s a lot on the line for the skaters when they’re out there giving it their all, and we deserve to have the judges also giving us their all and for it to be a fair and even playing field.”

The controversy surrounding Dabouis’ scoring isn’t isolated to this event. According to ESPN, Dabouis previously favored Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron at the Grand Prix Final in December, despite a fall by Chock and Bates during their performance. In that instance, she narrowly scored the Americans ahead despite the deduction, ultimately contributing to a silver medal finish for the French team. She also awarded a significant margin to the French couple in the Olympic rhythm dance, further fueling concerns about potential bias.

Chock and Bates are reportedly considering an appeal of the results, though the likelihood of success appears slim given the ISU’s staunch defense of the judging. The American team, however, remains resolute in their desire for a fair and equitable system. “We did everything we could,” Chock told Access Hollywood. “We wouldn’t have changed a single thing about our performance—or any of our performances or how we approached the week. We’re super proud of the work that we put in—we left no stone unturned, so we can leave the Games feeling satisfied and accomplished with ourselves.”

The situation has ignited a broader conversation about the complexities of judging in figure skating. The current system, while attempting to balance artistic impression with technical merit, remains susceptible to subjective interpretation. This latest incident has amplified calls for a more objective and transparent scoring methodology, potentially involving greater use of technology or a more detailed breakdown of judging criteria for public consumption.

A Change.org petition demanding an investigation into the scoring controversy had garnered over 14,000 signatures as of Friday, February 13, 2026. The petition highlights the growing public dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of accountability within the ISU and the potential for biased judging to undermine the integrity of the sport.

The outcome in Milan underscores the challenges facing figure skating as it strives to maintain its appeal to both athletes and fans. While Chock and Bates have expressed pride in their performance and silver medal, the shadow of controversy looms large, raising fundamental questions about the fairness and transparency of Olympic judging. The ISU’s response, while defending the current system, may not be enough to quell the growing demands for reform and a more objective approach to evaluating athletic performance on the ice.