Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron Aim for Olympic Ice Dance Gold
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, the French ice dance duo, are gearing up for the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games. After forming a partnership just 11 months ago, they have made a remarkable ascent to gold-medal contention. This quick rise has surprised many in the competitive skating world.
Controversy Surrounding the Team
The journey to the Olympics has not been without its complications. Fournier Beaudry previously defended her ex-partner, Nikolaj Sørensen, who faced serious allegations that surfaced in January 2024. These accusations relate to a 2012 incident and have led to Sørensen’s suspension by Skate Canada, although the ban was overturned on technical grounds.
Guillaume Cizeron, a reigning Olympic champion, has also dealt with controversy. He was criticized by former partner Gabriella Papadakis in her book, alongside other allegations brought forth. In response, Cizeron called these claims a “smear campaign.”
Focus on Performance
Despite their tumultuous backstories, the pair is concentrating on their performances. “We started a new chapter a year ago,” said Cizeron. They aim to keep controversies out of their training and performances. Their first Olympic event is Friday at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, where they will compete in the team event rhythm dance.
Upcoming Competitions
- Friday: Team event rhythm dance
- Next Monday: Individual competition rhythm dance
- Next Wednesday: Free dance competition
Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron recently showcased exceptional talent by winning the European Championships. They achieved a season-high score of 222.43, outperforming their American competitors by a narrow margin. They enter the Olympics with considerable confidence, stating they believe they can deliver good performances.
Insight into Their Lives
Their partnership and personalities have been depicted in the Netflix docuseries “Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing.” The series offers a glimpse into their lives beyond competitions. In one emotional moment, Fournier Beaudry expresses the challenges they faced amid Sørensen’s situation, revealing personal struggles intertwined with their skating career.
Fournier Beaudry emphasized the importance of humanizing athletes, saying, “We are human beings behind this, so it was really a nice project to do.” Their bond and mutual passion for skating have been critical to their rapid success and resilience as a team.
As they prepare for their Olympic journey, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron focus on performance, excitement, and shared curiosity about their skating capabilities, determined to achieve their goal of Olympic gold.
