Madison Chock and Evan Bates Embrace a New Era After Olympic Success

The ice dance duo aren't retiring anytime soon as they look to inspire the next generation of figure skaters.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:00pm

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After winning silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, ice dance duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates are not slowing down. The three-time World champions, four-time Four Continents champions, and nine-time Grand Prix gold medalists are embracing a new phase of their skating careers, focusing on mentoring younger athletes and exploring creative opportunities off the ice. Despite disappointment over the Olympic result, the husband and wife team are grateful for the increased attention on figure skating and are excited to share their passion with fans through upcoming tours and projects.

Why it matters

Chock and Bates' continued involvement in the sport will help sustain the recent renaissance in figure skating, which has seen a surge of young talent and creative expression. As seasoned veterans, they can provide valuable guidance and inspiration to the next generation of skaters, while also using their platform to advocate for innovations that could enhance the artistry and objectivity of the sport.

The details

After the team portion of the figure skating competition at the 2026 Olympics, Chock and Bates faced off against the French duo of Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry in the individual ice dance event. Despite Chock and Bates' strong performances, they were scored eight points lower than Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry by a French judge, ultimately settling for the silver medal. The controversial result sparked calls for an investigation, but the American couple has decided to move forward, focusing on their upcoming tour and other creative endeavors.

  • Chock and Bates will perform on the Stars on Ice Tour in Japan before returning to the U.S. for the domestic leg of the tour.
  • The couple will attend the Oscars in Los Angeles shortly after their Olympic performances.

The players

Madison Chock

An American ice dancer who, along with her husband Evan Bates, is a three-time World champion, four-time Four Continents champion, and nine-time Grand Prix gold medalist.

Evan Bates

An American ice dancer who, along with his wife Madison Chock, is a three-time World champion, four-time Four Continents champion, and nine-time Grand Prix gold medalist. He was also voted by Team USA as the male flag bearer at the closing ceremonies for the 2026 Olympics.

Guillaume Cizeron

A French ice dancer who won gold at the 2022 Olympics with a different partner, and recently formed a new partnership with Canada's Laurence Fournier Beaudry.

Laurence Fournier Beaudry

A Canadian ice dancer who recently formed a new partnership with France's Guillaume Cizeron, setting up a rivalry with Chock and Bates at the 2026 Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think retirement is the word, because we're definitely still gonna continue and be involved in skating. I think maybe we're just transitioning to a different phase of our skating career.”

— Madison Chock

“I think the mindset around the increased attention is just gratitude for interest in what we do. We put so much work into those four minutes on the ice, and knowing that there are future Olympians watching—little kids at home who maybe have never skated—that might see and connect with us and want to try skating or want to get into their own journey is really inspiring.”

— Evan Bates

“Even if we had won double gold, it goes away. People move on. We move on. Skating isn't going to last forever, obviously. And now we're going to take it and apply it to whatever's next.”

— Evan Bates

What’s next

Chock and Bates will perform on the Stars on Ice Tour in Japan before returning to the U.S. for the domestic leg of the tour.

The takeaway

Chock and Bates' continued involvement in figure skating, both as performers and mentors, will help sustain the sport's recent creative renaissance and inspire the next generation of skaters to push the boundaries of artistry and technical excellence.