Controversy Erupts Over Scoring in Ice Dance Final at 2026 Winter Olympics

The figure skating world is buzzing with controversy following the silver medal finish of American duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Despite being strong favorites for gold, their performance raised eyebrows after a scoring pattern involving French judge Jézabel Dabois surfaced, igniting discussions about bias and transparency in judging.

A Closer Look at the Scores

Chock and Bates entered the final just 0.46 points behind French pair Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron after the rhythmic program. However, their performance, which featured a stunning free dance to “Paint It Black” from Westworld, ended in disappointment as they secured a score of 134.67. This placed them at 224.39 points, narrowly trailing behind Beaudry and Cizeron, who earned 135.64, bringing their total to 225.82 points.

This led to several observers questioning the integrity of Dabois’ scoring, particularly since she rated the American pair 7.19 points lower than the other judges while awarding Beaudry and Cizeron an inflated score of 6.45 points above the average.

Key Scores Breakdown:

• Chock & Bates: 134.67 (Total: 224.39)
• Beaudry & Cizeron: 135.64 (Total: 225.82)
• Discrepancy: -7.19 for Chock & Bates, +6.45 for Beaudry & Cizeron

According to SkatingScores.com, this resulted in a staggering 13.64-point disparity favoring the French team.

Judges’ Reactions and Patterns of Scoring

Interestingly, five out of nine judges had initially ranked the American couple ahead. Dabois’ decision reversed this lead, prompting investigations into her scoring practices, which have exhibited a consistent pattern over the past year.

• Previous Controversies: Dabois has faced backlash for her scores at events such as the 2026 European Championships, where she awarded Beaudry and Cizeron excessively while scoring other top competitors like Italy and the UK considerably lower. Similarly, during the 2025 Grand Prix in Japan, she provided seemingly inflated scores despite noticeable skating errors by the French pair.

The Bigger Picture: Call for Change

In light of the current situation, Madison Chock voiced her concerns regarding the transparency of the judging process in ice skating.

“I think it’s important for the judges to be vetted and reviewed… There’s a lot on the line for the skaters when they’re out there giving it their all,” Chock told CBS News.

Proposed Changes:

• Increased Transparency: Skaters would benefit from clearer judging criteria that allow viewers and competitors to comprehend the evaluation process.
• Judging Qualification: A systematic review and vetting process for judges to ensure fairness and integrity in scoring.

The Context of Scandal: Beaudry’s Controversial Background

Adding another layer of intrigue, the affinity between Beaudry and Cizeron comes under scrutiny due to Beaudry’s past. After her previous partner faced sexual abuse allegations, she sought representation under the French flag, reinforcing the already divisive opinions surrounding their joint performance.

Conclusion

The fallout from the ice dance final at the 2026 Winter Olympics continues to unfold, raising significant questions about the fairness and integrity of competitive figure skating. Observers are calling for a reassessment of how scores are calculated and how judges are evaluated, as these changes could help restore faith in the sport.

For further details on Olympic figure skating scoring controversies, visit ESPN Figure Skating.

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