French Duo Stuns Chock and Bates in Controversial Olympic Ice Dance Victory | Milan Cortina 2026

Introduction: A Gold Medal Shrouded in Debate

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina delivered a seismic shock in the ice dance discipline, as the French pairing of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron captured the gold medal, upsetting the perennial favorites and defending Olympic champions, Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States. The result, announced on February 12, 2026, has ignited a firestorm of discussion across the figure skating world, centered not on the technical superiority of the victors but on the judging panels’ interpretations and the narrow margin of victory. This outcome transcends a simple podium swap; it represents a pivotal moment that questions the transparency of the International Skating Union’s (ISU) judging system and the psychological weight of “expectation” in Olympic competition. This article provides a comprehensive, verifiable breakdown of the event, separating the confirmed results from the heated speculation, and offers clarity on why this particular Olympic ice dance final will be dissected for years to come.

Key Points: The Core Facts of the Result

Winners: Laurence Fournier Beaudry / Guillaume Cizeron (France) – Gold Medal.
Runners-Up: Madison Chock / Evan Bates (USA) – Silver Medal.
Bronze Medalists: Charlène Guignard / Marco Fabbri (Italy).
Final Aggregate Score: Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron: 222.65 points. Chock/Bates: 221.85 points. The winning margin was a mere 0.80 points.
Controversy Catalyst: The debate stems from perceived discrepancies in the Program Component Scores (PCS)—the artistic marks—where Chock/Bates, widely praised for their performance quality and interpretation, received scores nearly identical to the French duo, despite many analysts and fans feeling their free dance was superior.
Context: Chock/Bates entered as heavy favorites after dominating the 2022-2025 quadrennial, winning three World Championships. Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron were the 2022 Olympic silver medalists (with Cizeron’s former partner, Papadakis) and were competing in their first Olympics as a new partnership, having formed in 2023 following Cizeron’s partnership change.

Background: The Teams and the Road to Milan Cortina

The American Dynasty: Chock and Bates’ Quest for Glory

Madison Chock and Evan Bates represent the pinnacle of consistency and longevity in modern ice dance. Their partnership, formed in 2011, has been a model of excellence. After a bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, they embarked on a historic run, winning the World Championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Their style is characterized by breathtaking speed, intricate footwork, and profound emotional connection, particularly in their narrative-driven free dances. Entering Milan Cortina, they were not just favorites; they were the team to beat, carrying the weight of expectation to finally claim the Olympic gold that had eluded them.

The French Contingent: A New Partnership with a Familiar Star

Guillaume Cizeron arrived in Italy as a reigning Olympic champion (with Gabriella Papadakis from 2022). His decision to partner with Canadian-born Laurence Fournier Beaudry in 2023 was a major storyline. Fournier Beaudry, a talented skater with previous international experience for Canada, faced a nationality controversy; her release from Skate Canada and immediate eligibility for France were scrutinized under ISU rules, though no formal protest was ever upheld. Their partnership was explosive from the start, winning the 2025 European Championship. Their strength lies in Cizeron’s unparalleled edge quality and Fournier Beaudry’s powerful technique, combined with a contemporary, avant-garde choreographic approach that sometimes polarizes judges and audiences alike.