Madison Chock Calls for Judge Review After France’s Ice Dance Win at Olympics
The ice dance competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics has sparked significant discussion among fans and analysts alike. Madison Chock and Evan Bates, representing the U.S., narrowly missed the gold medal, finishing just 1.43 points behind France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron. Chock has since called for a review of judging practices in ice dance competitions.
Chock and Bates’ Impressive Performance
During the free dance segment, Chock and Bates delivered a memorable performance to “Paint It Black” from the show “Westworld.” They achieved a score of 134.67, building on their world-best score of 89.72 from the rhythm dance.
- Chock and Bates’ total score: 224.39
- Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron’s total score: 225.82
- Bronze medalists: Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada with 217.74
Controversy Over Judging Standards
Chock voiced her concerns regarding how ice dance scoring is conducted. She emphasized the need for transparent judging, stating, “It would be helpful if it’s more understandable for the viewers.” Chock also pointed out that judges must be reliable and perform their roles fairly.
The competition was particularly close, with France edging out the Americans despite a visible mistake by Cizeron during a twizzle element. This mistake raised questions about judging consistency, especially since the French scores for artistic presentation surpassed those of Chock and Bates.
Implications for Judging in Ice Dance
A significant factor in this competition was the disparity in scoring from the judges. One judge notably scored the Americans over seven points lower than the French team, which raised eyebrows among analysts and fans. This inconsistency highlights the subjective nature of ice dance judging.
Future Plans for Chock and Bates
In reflecting on their Olympic experience, Chock described the result as “bittersweet,” acknowledging their achievement and strong performance throughout the event. Bates mirrored this sentiment, expressing pride in their execution and the teamwork they displayed.
The upcoming 2026 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague presents an opportunity for Chock and Bates to continue their competitive journey. As current world champions, they aim to defend their title next month.
Background on the Gold Medalists
Laurence Fournier Beaudry recently switched from representing Canada to France. She teamed with Cizeron after an incident involving her former partner. Cizeron previously won gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics with Gabriella Papadakis, who has made allegations of abusive behavior against him, which he vehemently denies.
As the ice dance community reflects on these performances and outcomes, it is clear that the call for revised judging standards remains a critical discussion following the competition.
