Olympic Ice Dance Champion Papadakis Loses NBC Commentary Role After Partner Dispute
Olympic ice dance champion Gabriella Papadakis has lost her commentary role with NBC ahead of the Winter Olympics due to a dispute with her former skating partner, Guillaume Cizeron. The controversy arose following the release of Papadakis’s book, “So as Not to Disappear,” which prompted Cizeron to contest her claims.
Conflict Over Book Revelations
In an interview with L’Equipe, Papadakis revealed that NBC reconsidered her role after Cizeron publicly disagreed with the content in her new book. He initiated legal action, claiming that the statements made about him were defamatory.
“To my knowledge, in reaction to Guillaume filing a formal notice, which was public, NBC decided my neutrality was compromised,” said Papadakis. This situation left her disappointed, as she had just begun her career in sports commentary.
Partnership History
Papadakis and Cizeron enjoyed significant success together, breaking world records and winning numerous titles:
- Olympic Gold Medal at the 2022 Beijing Games
- Olympic Silver Medal
- Five World Championships
- Five European Championships
- Two Grand Prix Finals
Despite their achievements, Papadakis expressed that their partnership had its challenges. In her book, she described feelings of being in a controlling and demanding relationship, which culminated in her admitting to a sense of terror at the thought of being alone with Cizeron.
Cizeron’s Response
Cizeron responded harshly to the allegations. He labeled Papadakis’s statements as a smear campaign and denied the claims made in her book. “I wish to denounce the content of the book, which contains false information,” he stated.
He emphasized the respect he had for Papadakis during their partnership, highlighting their shared successes and mutual support.
Timing of the Book Release
Papadakis clarified that the timing of her book’s release was not intended to coincide with Cizeron’s upcoming participation in the Winter Olympics. She mentioned that the publication date was set long before Cizeron announced his new partnership with Laurence Fournier Beaudry, who recently became a French citizen.
This situation reflects the complex dynamics of sports relationships, as Papadakis navigates the loss of her commentary role while addressing the fallout from her revelations in “So as Not to Disappear.”
