MILAN (AP) — Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron entered the Milan Cortina Olympics with plenty of attention, aiming to challenge the strong U.S. duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates. In a surprising twist, they left the games with gold medals and controversy.
On Wednesday night, Beaudry and Cizeron impressed the judges and the crowd, scoring 225.82 points in their free dance, their best of the season. Chock and Bates, who had been dominant prior, finished with 224.39 points, securing silver. “We’re still in shock,” Cizeron said, making history as the first to win ice dance gold with two different partners after his previous win with Gabriella Papadakis.
However, not everyone agreed with the results. Some felt that Cizeron’s mistakes during the performance should have cost them the win. The French judge scored them unusually high, causing discussions about the fairness of the judging system. Five out of nine judges favored the American team, but the close scores stirred quite a debate.
“You can feel like you do everything right and still not get the outcome you want,” Bates reflected. His team had also just won gold in the team event, adding to the pressure. “It’s a subjective sport, but we gave it our all.”
The competition was extra tense because both top teams are coached by the same trio before training together at the Ice Academy of Montreal. Canadian skaters Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier clinched bronze, edging out Italian and British teams with emotional performances.
The drama didn’t stop with the competition results. Beaudry’s journey to the Olympics was tainted by scandal, as her former partner faced allegations of misconduct. Though the ban on Nikolaj Sorensen was overturned, the cloud of controversy still loomed. Beaudry noted it was a difficult period, but their focus on the sport and each other helped them push through.
Cizeron, who had stepped away from competitive skating before reuniting with Beaudry, said it was a challenging yet rewarding comeback. They won every event this season except for the Grand Prix Final, where they previously lost to Chock and Bates.
Social media has been abuzz with mixed reactions. Many fans expressed confusion and disappointment over the final scoring. Tweets and posts reflected a divided fan base, with some praising the French duo’s artistry while others insisted the Americans deserved the win.
This performance not only showcased the athletes’ talent but highlighted the subjective nature of figure skating and the emotional rollercoaster athletes endure at such a high level. Amid the cheers and applause, the complexities of sportsmanship and judgment were clear to everyone watching.
The event showcased the beauty of ice dancing, but also shed light on the controversies that come with high-stakes competitions.
For deeper insights on the athletes’ journey and the intricacies of figure skating judging, visit the [AP Winter Olympics](https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics).
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