Papadakis Claims NBC Dropped Her Olympic Role After Ex-Partner Dispute
Gabriella Papadakis, the Olympic ice dance champion, has claimed that NBC dropped her from its commentary team for the upcoming Winter Olympics. This decision came in light of a dispute with her former skating partner, Guillaume Cizeron, regarding her new book, “So as Not to Disappear.”
Details of the Dispute
In an interview with sports daily L’Equipe, Papadakis stated that the network reconsidered her role after Cizeron publicly contested her allegations made in her book. Following this, he directed his lawyers to issue a formal notice against statements he deemed defamatory.
Papadakis’ Reaction
The 30-year-old skater expressed deep disappointment over losing her commentary role. “I was just beginning that career as a commentator,” she shared. Despite understanding NBC’s perspective, she feels a sense of injustice from the situation. “It’s very difficult to take,” she added.
Background of Their Relationship
Papadakis and Cizeron have a rich competitive history, winning an Olympic gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Games, an Olympic silver medal, and five world championships, among other accolades. However, in her book, Papadakis described their partnership as deeply unbalanced, portraying Cizeron as “controlling” and “demanding.”
Insights from the Book
She indicated that her desire for equality in their relationship marked a turning point that led to difficulties. “As long as I took a backseat role while Guillaume was the leader, everything went well,” she stated.
Cizeron’s Response
In response to Papadakis’ allegations, Cizeron stated that he was bewildered by her claims. He called her statements a “smear campaign” and emphasized that he had always shown respect towards Papadakis. He denied many allegations set forth in her book.
Clarification on Timing
Papadakis clarified that the publication of her book was not timed to coincide with Cizeron’s return to competition with his new partner, Laurence Fournier Beaudry. She confirmed that the release date was planned prior to his announcement.
Key Dates and Events
- Book Release: Week of the interview
- Winter Olympics: February 6-22, 2026, in Milan Cortina
- Papadakis’ Retirement: December 2024
Papadakis’ situation has raised questions about professional relationships and the impact of personal conflicts on career opportunities within the sports commentary realm. Her experience reflects the complexities faced by athletes, particularly when transitioning into new roles post-competition.
