"You hate to see your favorite Olympic ice dancers lose. But to watch them lose to ice dancers who have been competing together for less than two years-after both split from former partners amid highly publicized and controversial circumstances? Blood-boiling devastation. At least that's how I'm feeling this morning. Team USA ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates took silver in the individual Olympic ice dancing event on Tuesday, losing to Team France by an infuriating 1.42 points. (The French judge was highly sus.) Chock and Bates have been competing together for 15 years (and as of 2024, have been married for two), have seven national titles, three consecutive world championships, and were highly favored to win the gold going into the Olympics. Meanwhile, France's Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron only partnered up in March 2025 after Cizeron's former partner accused him of being "controlling" and Fournier Beaudry's former partner faced sexual assault allegations."
"Each individual Olympic figure skating event has two programs-the short program, or in ice dancing, "rhythm dance," and the free skate. Sunday was the "rhythm dance" program, where even the NBC commentators said Chock and Bates delivered one of their all-time best performances. "I have never seen them skate that determined ... they were hungry tonight," Olympian and NBC commentator Johnny Weir said. "They're not going to let anyone steal this medal without a fight.""
"But a seemingly-small mistep-one that even commentators struggled to identify in real time-downgraded one of their technical skills from a Level 4 to a Level 3. "I am surprised," Olympian and host Scott Hamilton said. "I didn't see that one coming." Commentator Andrea Joyce added that it was "prett"
Madison Chock and Evan Bates took silver in the Olympic ice dancing competition, narrowly losing to France by 1.42 points. Chock and Bates have skated together for 15 years, hold seven national titles and three consecutive world championships, and entered the Games as favorites. The French team had formed a partnership in March 2025 after both skaters left former partners amid serious accusations. Chock and Bates delivered a highly praised rhythm dance, but a downgraded technical level on one element reduced their score. Commentary and viewer reaction focused on the closeness of the result and contested judging calls.
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