Team USA figure skating pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates finished silver in the free dance competition at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, narrowly missing out on top podium position against French skating couple Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron.
The aftermath of this event came with some serious controversy regarding a French judge who scored Chock and Bates well lower than any other evaluator. The judge, identified as Jezabel Dabouis, scored the American married couple nearly eight points less than Beaudry and Cizeron.
Chock and Bates delivered a flawless performance, while Beaudry and Cizeron’s routine feature multiple mistakes.
Beaudry and Cizeron scored a 135.64. Chock and Bates earned a score of 134.67. The French judge was the only evaluator to score Chock and Bates less than 130.
Despite this controversial result, U.S. Figure Skating will not appeal the decision.
“There has been a lot of thoughtful, and at times emotional, discussion about the ice dance competition in Milan,” USFS CEO Matt Farrell said in a statement, via USA TODAY Sports. “Working together with Madi and Evan after the Games, we will have thoughtful and intentional discussions about the best way to support them and the future of the sport.
“For now, we plan to join them in supporting the success of U.S. Figure Skating in Milan.”
Many fans are not happy with decision.
“Wow. I wish our federation was as brave as Canada’s was during the 2002 Olympic pair skating scandal. How unfortunate,” one wrote.
“Beyond disappointed with this decision,” another said.
“That is why this keeps happening,” another added.
“Sounds like they are incompetent, afraid to do the RIGHT thing. Team USA won GOLD this can’t stay quiet, we need to keep the pressure on, do the RIGHT thing, stand up for Team USA, true winners, simply the BEST, better than all the Rest,” another wrote.
Chock and Bates were understandably upset by the ruling, but ultimately accepted the decision with grace.
“I feel like life is sometimes you can feel like you do everything right and it doesn’t go your way, and that’s life and that’s sport,” Bates said. “And it’s a subjective sport. It’s a judged sport.”