French Ice Dancers Clinch Narrow Victory Over Team USA at Milan Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan witnessed a dramatic conclusion to the ice dance competition on Wednesday, as the French duo of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron claimed the gold medal in a controversial finish. The pair narrowly defeated the heavily favored American team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who were forced to settle for the silver medal in a heartbreakingly close contest.
A Razor-Thin Margin Decides Olympic Glory
Following their free dance performance, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron achieved a total score of 225.82 points, securing the top position on the podium. Chock and Bates, who delivered what many considered a powerhouse performance, finished with a score of 224.49 points. The minuscule margin of victory stood at just 1.42 points, making this one of the closest ice dance finals in recent Olympic history.
The Canadian pair of Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier captured the bronze medal with a score of 217.74 points, completing the podium placements. As their victory was confirmed, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron were seen erupting in emotional cheers and sobbing tears in the traditional 'kiss and cry' area, overwhelmed by their unexpected triumph.
Controversial Shadows Loom Over Gold Medalists
Despite their Olympic success, the French pair's victory has been significantly overshadowed by serious controversies surrounding both skaters' personal lives. Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron only formed their partnership in March 2025, yet their brief career together has been persistently dogged by what have been described as 'toxic' allegations from their respective pasts.
Fournier Beaudry has faced intense public scrutiny regarding her relationship with boyfriend and former skating partner, Nikolaj Sorensen. Sorensen was suspended in 2024 following allegations of a sexual assault dating back to 2012, involving a former skater and coach. Although his six-year suspension from Skate Canada was eventually overturned on a technicality, the scandal effectively terminated his competitive skating career.
In the recent Netflix docuseries 'Glitter & Gold', Fournier Beaudry lamented the entire situation, claiming that the ordeal had completely ruined her partner's life and professional prospects.
Explosive Allegations from Former Partner
Meanwhile, Cizeron arrived in Milan facing explosive claims from his former gold-medal-winning partner, Gabriella Papadakis. In interviews promoting her upcoming memoir titled 'So as Not to Disappear', Papadakis described Cizeron as 'controlling, demanding and critical' during their time as a world-leading pair.
She wrote extensively about feeling under his 'control' and expressed being 'terrified' of being alone with him throughout their partnership. These allegations have cast a significant shadow over Cizeron's character and professional conduct.
Cizeron has vehemently denied all accusations, labeling them a deliberate 'smear campaign' and confirming that he is actively pursuing legal action against the claims. In a statement to Reuters, he declared, 'I want to express my incomprehension and disagreement with the labels attributed to me. The book contains false information, including statements I never made, which I consider serious.'
Focus Amidst the Storm
Remarkably, despite the substantial off-ice drama and media scrutiny, the French pair maintained exceptional focus throughout the Olympic competition. They had led the field since the short program on Monday, demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure.
'We started a new chapter a year ago,' Cizeron told reporters earlier in the Games. 'Neither of us would have thought we'd be here today, so everything is like a bonus for us.' This perspective seemed to fuel their performances, allowing them to block out external distractions and concentrate solely on their skating.
The Olympic ice dance competition in Milan will undoubtedly be remembered not only for its athletic excellence and narrow margins, but also for the complex personal controversies that surrounded its champions, creating a narrative that extends far beyond the ice rink and into challenging personal territories.
