France’s Cizeron Claims Victory Over US Silver Medalists
Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry of France claimed the gold medal in ice dance at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, edging out American pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates by just 1.43 points in a closely contested final.[1] The French duo scored 135.64 in their free dance performance to “Vogue,” while the Americans scored 134.67, securing their first individual ice dance medal at the Games.[1]
Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry’s partnership represents one of the most unconventional pairings in Olympic ice dance history. The duo, formed less than a year ago, performed together for the first time at these Olympic Games.[1][2] Despite their brief time as partners, the French skaters demonstrated technical prowess and artistic expression that captivated judges and audiences alike.[3]
Narrow Victory Over Seasoned American Pair
The competition proved intensely competitive throughout. In Monday’s rhythm dance, Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry held just a 0.46-point advantage over the American team.[1] Wednesday’s free dance program tightened the margin further, with the French pair winning the segment by only 0.94 points.[1]
In contrast, Chock and Bates have skated together for 15 years, making their approach rooted in extensive partnership experience.[1] The married American couple performed their free dance routine to “Paint It Black” by Ramin Djawadi.[1] However, their consistency and long-standing chemistry proved insufficient to overcome Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry’s artistic execution in the judges’ eyes.[1]
Strong Team Event Performance
Both pairs contributed to Team USA’s second consecutive gold medal in the team ice dance event.[1] Chock and Bates dominated their segments in that competition, marking their fourth consecutive Winter Olympic Games appearance together.[1] The pair now holds two Olympic golds in team events alongside Wednesday’s individual silver medal.[1]
Cizeron’s Second Straight Gold
For Guillaume Cizeron, this represents his second consecutive Olympic gold medal in ice dance, continuing his success at the international level.[3] The victory caps a remarkable turnaround for Cizeron, who transitions into a new competitive chapter with a fresh partner while maintaining elite-level performance.[3]
