US Figure Skating Appeals Olympic Decision Following Judges’ Controversy
The recent 2026 Winter Olympics witnessed a notable controversy in the ice dance competition, raising questions about the scoring system. U.S. Figure Skating announced it will not pursue an appeal regarding the judges’ scoring that affected the outcome for Madison Chock and Evan Bates.
Background of the Controversy
During the ice dancing final on February 11, 2026, Chock and Bates earned a silver medal, falling short of the gold by a narrow margin. The judging heavily favored French skaters Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who won the event with a score of 225.82, just 1.43 points ahead of the American pair.
Judging Discrepancies
- French judge Jézabel Dabois faced criticism for her scoring.
- Her scores for the American duo were significantly lower than those of her fellow judges.
- This discrepancy caused uproar in the figure skating community.
Chock and Bates had initially considered filing an appeal after their performance. However, they ultimately decided against it after discussing the situation with U.S. Figure Skating CEO Matt Farrell.
Statements from U.S. Figure Skating
In a statement, Farrell acknowledged the emotional discussions surrounding the ice dance competition. He expressed the intention to support Chock and Bates moving forward and emphasized the commitment to the future of the sport.
Chock and Bates’ Career Highlights
This event marked Chock and Bates’ fourth Olympics together. Although they did not secure the gold, they celebrated their first individual medal in ice dancing, adding to their collection that includes two Olympic gold medals from the team event.
Looking Ahead
With the 24-hour window to appeal the results now closed, U.S. Figure Skating may still voice their concerns to the International Skating Union. Despite the disappointment, Bates reflected on their performance, stating it felt like a winning moment.
The ongoing discussions around the judging practices in figure skating highlight the need for transparency and fairness to maintain the integrity of the sport at future events.
