Controversy Surrounds Olympic Ice Dance Gold-Medal Favorites

French duo Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron lead the competition, but their partnership raises eyebrows

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Olympic ice dance competition is embroiled in controversy as French team Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron enter the free dance in first place. The duo, known for their grace and precision, have only been skating together since the start of the 2025-26 season, an unusually short partnership for top ice dance teams. Their pairing also comes with baggage, as Fournier Beaudry's former partner was banned for sexual assault, while Cizeron's ex-partner accused him of controlling behavior. Despite the controversy, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron have impressed the judges and are in a tight race for the gold medal with the more experienced American team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

Why it matters

The controversy surrounding Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron's partnership has raised questions about the judging in ice dance, which has historically favored long-standing teams over new pairings. Their rapid rise to the top of the sport has also overshadowed the allegations of misconduct against their former partners, sparking debate about the sport's handling of such issues.

The details

Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, both former Olympic medalists, teamed up just before the 2025-26 season after their previous partners faced scandals. Fournier Beaudry's ex-partner, Nikolaj Sorensen, was banned from ice dance after being investigated for sexual assault, while Cizeron's former partner, Gabriella Papadakis, accused him of controlling and belittling behavior. Despite their newness as a team, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron have impressed the judges, scoring a table-topping 90.18 in the rhythm dance portion of the Olympics.

  • The Olympic ice dance competition will conclude on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron teamed up at the start of the 2025-26 season, just in time to enter the Olympics.

The players

Laurence Fournier Beaudry

A French ice dancer who previously skated for Canada with her partner (and boyfriend) Nikolaj Sorensen, but was forced to find a new partner after Sorensen was banned from ice dance following an investigation into sexual assault.

Guillaume Cizeron

A French ice dancer who won the Olympic gold medal in 2022 while skating with his longtime partner Gabriella Papadakis, who later published a memoir accusing Cizeron of controlling and belittling behavior during their victorious run.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates

An American ice dance team who have been skating together for 15 years and four Olympic cycles, and are Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron's main competitors for the gold medal.

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What’s next

The Olympic ice dance competition will conclude on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, with the free dance event.

The takeaway

The controversy surrounding Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron's partnership has raised questions about the judging in ice dance and the sport's handling of misconduct allegations. Their rapid rise to the top of the sport has overshadowed the reported mistreatment of their former partners, highlighting the need for the sport to address these issues more transparently.