French Ice Dance Gold Sparks Controversy, Overshadows Madison Chock and Evan Bates

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan delivered a controversial and deeply troubling moment for the sport of figure skating. French ice dancers Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron won Olympic gold, but the victory has sparked criticism due to the involvement of Nikolaj Sorensen, a skater under investigation for sexual abuse allegations. Fournier Beaudry, 33, who is Sorensen’s girlfriend, teamed up with Cizeron a year ago after Sorensen was banned for a minimum of six years for allegedly sexually assaulting a U.S. skater in 2012.

Although his suspension was overturned last year, the decision remains under review, meaning the ban could be reinstated. During the medal ceremony, the French team waved at Sorensen in the crowd, who responded with whistles, raising ethical concerns about the message sent to sexual abuse survivors and parents seeking a safe environment in the sport.

Cizeron’s Controversy Overshadows Victory, While Chock and Bates Display Remarkable Perseverance

Cizeron, 31, also drew criticism from former partner Gabriella Papadakis, the 2022 Olympic gold medalist, who described him as “often controlling, demanding, and critical.” Papadakis revealed in her memoir and in an interview with USA TODAY’s Milan Magic podcast that her partnership with Cizeron had been “profoundly harmful and dangerous,” noting how unhealthy dynamics can develop subtly in relationships and partnerships. Despite these concerns, Cizeron claimed his second consecutive Olympic gold.

Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron narrowly defeated the three-time reigning world champions, Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States, scoring 225.82 points to the Americans’ 224.39. The result was especially painful for Chock and Bates, four-time Olympians and seven-time national champions who had never won an individual Olympic medal. Their dedication and leadership over the past four years, including guiding the American team through the 2022 Beijing Olympics amid the Kamila Valieva doping scandal, highlighted their perseverance and professionalism.

Chock and Bates’ Efforts Highlight Dedication Despite Controversial Results and Ethical Concerns

Chock, 33, and Bates, nearly 37, skated four programs in six days during the free dance, an extraordinary feat for athletes of their age in the sport. Their efforts contributed significantly to the U.S. team’s success, enabling teammates like Ilia Malinin to win team gold on Sunday. Yet, despite their exceptional performance, they were denied the individual gold they most sought, making the evening bittersweet.

The outcome has drawn widespread criticism, not only because of the controversial figures associated with the French team but also because it overshadowed the achievements of Chock and Bates. Many observers view the decision as a troubling signal about figure skating’s priorities, raising questions about the sport’s commitment to ethics, athlete safety, and fair competition. The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics thus marked both a high point and a low point for figure skating, highlighting excellence on the ice while casting a shadow over the sport’s moral compass.