French Scoring Controversy: Inside Allegations in Ice Dance
The recent ice dance competition at the Winter Olympics held in Milan on February 13, 2026, has ignited a major controversy surrounding the judging. French duo Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron claimed the gold medal, finishing just 1.43 points ahead of American favorites Madison Chock and Evan Bates. Both teams delivered their respective best performances in the free dance segment, raising questions about the judging processes.
Key Events of the Ice Dance Competition
- Date: February 13, 2026
- Location: Milan, Italy
- Gold Medalists: Laurence Fournier Beaudry & Guillaume Cizeron (France)
- Silver Medalists: Madison Chock & Evan Bates (United States)
- Score Margin: 1.43 points
Controversy Over Judging Discrepancies
The competition was characterized by significant criticisms regarding the judge’s scoring. Chock and Bates performed exceptionally well, yet the scoring issues came to light during the rhythm dance segment. Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron received high scores despite visible mistakes, particularly with their twizzles. In stark contrast, Chock and Bates executed a flawless routine.
One judge, Jezabel Dabouis from France, particularly attracted scrutiny. She awarded Chock and Bates the lowest score among the panel for their free dance, which was more than five points below the average. This scoring pattern has raised alarm about possible bias and even nationalism among the judges.
Judges’ Reactions and Athletes’ Responses
Despite their disappointment, Chock and Bates remained gracious. Bates emphasized their dedication and effort, stating, “We did everything we could.” Chock, however, expressed concerns over the need for judging integrity, stating that judges should be thoroughly vetted to ensure fairness in evaluations.
Other athletes, including Marco Fabbri and Charlene Guignard, have voiced their agreement on the issue. Fabbri noted that Chock and Bates deserved the gold medal based on their performance. Furthermore, a fan petition advocating for an investigation by the International Skating Union (ISU) has gained over 15,000 signatures.
ISU’s Response to Allegations
In light of the controversy, the ISU stood by the judging results, asserting that varied scores are typical in competitive skating. The organization emphasized their commitment to fairness in the sport despite the criticisms.
The Background of the Controversial Duo
Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, now at the center of this debate, previously faced their own controversies. Fournier Beaudry had competed for Canada and was involved in significant allegations concerning her former partner, which remain unresolved. Cizeron, a previous Olympic champion, faced accusations of misconduct from his former partner, which he has strongly denied.
The pair only recently teamed up and has made quite an impact, winning titles at both the Grand Prix and the European Championships before the Olympics. They train at the Ice Academy of Montreal, sharing facilities with rivals Chock and Bates.
Historical Context of Controversies in Figure Skating
The judging issues in this year’s event echo past scandals in figure skating, including a well-known incident involving French judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne at the 2002 Olympics. Following allegations of vote-swapping, an investigation ensued, leading to a temporary suspension for Le Gougne and the reversal of a gold medal decision.
The implications for the sport spotlight ongoing debates about transparency, fairness, and the integrity of judging in competitive figure skating, particularly in ice dance.
