Why Figure Skating Captures Attention at This Year’s Olympics
At the Milan figure skating arena, the Olympic competitions have become a focal point not just for breathtaking performances but also for intriguing controversies. This year’s events have drawn significant public attention, often overshadowed by scandals surrounding participants.
Gold Medal Winners and Controversies in Ice Dance
The spotlight shines on the French ice dance duo, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who recently earned the gold medal. They triumphed over the favored American pair, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who settled for silver. Meanwhile, the Canadian team of Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier secured the bronze.
The decision to award the gold medal to Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron raised eyebrows. The judging scores revealed a significant disparity. The French pair received 137.45 points during the free dance compared to 129.74 points for the American team, marking the largest point gap between the duos. Overall, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron amassed 225.82 points, just ahead of Chock and Bates, who accumulated 224.39 points.
In interviews following the podium ceremony, Chock and Bates expressed belief in their deserving of the gold. The International Skating Union defended the judging panel’s scores, asserting that variations in evaluations among judges are commonplace.
Long Shadow of Controversy
Another controversy surrounding Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron predated the Olympics. Nikolaj Sørensen, Fournier Beaudry’s former partner, faced sexual assault allegations, leading to his six-year suspension from competition by Canada’s skating association. This suspension was ultimately overturned in 2025 due to jurisdictional issues.
Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron publicly supported Sørensen during this tumultuous time. In a Netflix documentary, “Glitter & Gold,” Fournier Beaudry shared the collateral damage impacted by these allegations on her career. Interestingly, Cizeron, who previously won gold with Gabriella Papadakis in 2022 and announced his retirement in December 2024, offered Fournier Beaudry the chance to compete together.
After approximately 13 months of training, the duo’s effort culminated in Olympic glory.
Ilia Malinin: The Quad God
Among standout performances, American skater Ilia Malinin, dubbed the “quad god,” captured widespread attention. At just 21, he became the first athlete to successfully complete a quadruple axel during a competition. Representing the United States at his first Olympics, he also secured a gold medal as part of the team event.
However, anticipation surrounded his individual performance as audiences wondered if he would achieve the quadruple axel again. Despite his efforts, Malinin finished eighth in the free skate segment, falling short of gold aspirations. He will have another opportunity in the next four years, aiming for the pinnacle in Olympic history.
The combination of thrilling performances and unexpected controversies makes this year’s Olympic figure skating competition particularly unforgettable.
