French Ice Dancers’ Scandals Overshadow Controversial Gold Win at Winter Olympics
At the recent Winter Olympics, the ice dance competition was overshadowed by a series of scandals involving the competing French pair, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron. Despite their narrow victory over the American duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates, the backdrop of controversy added tension to the event.
Scandals Surrounding the French Duo
The French team, who won gold by just 1.43 points, represents a partnership formed under troubled circumstances. Fournier Beaudry’s boyfriend, Nikolaj Sørensen, previously faced serious allegations of sexual assault and was banned from competition. Sørensen, a former partner of Fournier Beaudry, had his suspension by the Canadian skating governing body lifted in 2025 on a technicality after denying the claims of wrongdoing.
In a revealing Netflix documentary series titled Glitter & Gold, Fournier Beaudry expressed her frustration, describing herself as “collateral damage” in the fallout surrounding her partner. She articulated the challenges her career faced due to Sørensen’s suspension and affirmed her unwavering support for him.
Allegations Against Cizeron
Guillaume Cizeron, in addition to facing scrutiny regarding his partnership with Fournier Beaudry, has been accused of inappropriate conduct by his former partner, Gabriella Papadakis. In her memoir, Papadakis labeled Cizeron as controlling and described her fear of being alone with him. Cizeron has strongly rejected these claims, which he denounced as a smear campaign.
Impact on the Competition
The atmosphere in Milan was tense, as the scandals overshadowed the competition. Papadakis, who retired recently, faced consequences after the publication of her memoir. NBC dropped her from broadcasting duties, citing the need to ensure unbiased commentary.
The scrutiny of Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron’s partnership became a point of discussion. Adam Rippon, a former Olympian, remarked on the “sinister energy” surrounding their experience at the Games.
Chock and Bates’s Emotional Journey
Madison Chock and Evan Bates, reigning three-time world champions, experienced mixed emotions after their performance. The couple, who married in 2024, delivered a flawless routine set to “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones. They felt their performance merited gold, yet the judges awarded them silver, falling short by a mere 1.43 points.
- Gold Medalists: Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron
- Silver Medalists: Madison Chock and Evan Bates
- Bronze Medalists: Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier
Chock stated, “The outcome was bittersweet. We’re proud of our performance and how we conducted ourselves.” These words underscored the emotion of the event and highlighted how artistic integrity and competitive spirit remained at the forefront, despite the surrounding controversies.
