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French duo triumphs in Milan ice dance final
Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry secured Olympic gold in ice dance at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games on Wednesday, outperforming rivals in both segments of the competition.
Dominant performance seals victory
The French pair topped the standings in both the rhythm dance and free dance, earning the highest combined score of the night. Their free dance, set to the soundtrack of The Whale, followed a flawless rhythm dance to Madonna's Vogue, which included a technically superior step sequence that gave them a narrow 0.46-point lead over American silver medallists Evan Bates and Madison Chock.
Cizeron, 31, who previously won gold with Gabriella Papadakis at Beijing 2022, and Fournier Beaudry, 33, have now claimed five of the six major competitions they've entered since teaming up last November, including the 2026 European Championships in Sheffield.
A partnership built on shared vision
Speaking after their victory, Cizeron attributed their rapid success to shared training philosophies and a mutual passion for the sport. "It was a lot of work, but from the beginning, we had a lot in common in how we trained and approached things," he said. "It was also an opportunity to evolve-it was playful, and we had a lot of fun from the start."
Fournier Beaudry, who previously competed for Canada and Denmark, gained French citizenship last year to partner with Cizeron. She acknowledged the role of her former training base in Montreal, saying, "I wouldn't be here without the support of the Canadian federation and the amazing coaches we have there."
Controversy shadows Olympic journey
The duo's path to gold has been marked by off-ice drama. Cizeron's split from Papadakis, his longtime partner and five-time world champion, turned acrimonious after she released a memoir earlier this year alleging an "unbalanced" relationship in which she felt "under his grip." Cizeron dismissed the claims as a "smear campaign" and is pursuing legal action. Papadakis, who has worked as a figure skating analyst since 2024, was removed from her role at NBC ahead of these Games due to a "conflict of interest" linked to her memoir.
Asked about the distractions, Cizeron said, "It's been quite the challenge. We've tried to create a bubble and support each other. The love we have for each other and for the sport has kept us focused."
Fournier Beaudry's past under scrutiny
Fournier Beaudry's eligibility to compete for France was expedited after her former partner, Canadian skater Nikolaj Sorensen, received a six-year suspension in 2025 following a sexual assault allegation dating to 2012. The complaint involves an American skating coach and does not implicate Fournier Beaudry directly. Sorensen denies the allegations, and Fournier Beaudry has publicly supported him, stating in the Netflix documentary Glitter and Gold, "I know my boyfriend 100%."
The anonymous complainant criticized her stance, arguing it "creates a dangerous environment for skaters who need to report abuse." Fournier Beaudry, who obtained French citizenship in November, has declined further comment on the matter.
Podium completes historic night
The silver medal went to Americans Evan Bates and Madison Chock, three-time world champions and gold medallists in the team event at these Games. Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier took bronze.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue through February 22, with live coverage available on BBC platforms for UK audiences.
