NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
French Olympians Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron push back criticism surrounding their Winter Games gold.
A French judge’s controversial decision gave the French duo an edge over Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates. French judge Jézabel Dabouis scored Beaudry and Cizeron nearly eight points higher than Chock and Bates, who ultimately settled for silver. Without Dabouis’ marks, the Americans would have earned the top podium spot.
As criticism mounted, Beaudry and Cizeron joined the growing chorus questioning how points were awarded.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France skate after receiving their medals during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milan Ice Skating Arena on February 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)
The French duo said they believed they deserved a higher score in their gold medal performance in Milan Cortina. Beaudry and Cizeron claimed their routine was more technically demanding than Team USA’s.
“We had the goal of winning by five to seven points, but we made a couple of mistakes that cost us three or four points,” Cizeron told the “Super Moscato Show at RMC.”
FANS REACT AFTER ‘QUAD GOD’ ILIA MALININ SHARES DEEPLY PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS AFTER SHOCKING SKATE
“To win the gold after just a year of working together, that’s quite an achievement.”
“It’s a mental battle to keep going and connect the elements, to get back to it and go for the points,” Cizeron added. “You have to cut off the negative thoughts that come in very quickly, and this is where twenty years of experience comes into play.”
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of Team France compete in the figure skating ice dance on day five of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Ice Skating Arena on February 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Luo Yunfei/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
Cizeron concluded by highlighting what he and Beaudry lean on when moments like this arise. “I think our friendship … allowed us to overcome all this pressure.”
The International Skating Federation backed the scoring.
“It is normal for there to be a range of marks given by different judges on any panel, and a number of mechanisms are used to mitigate these variations,” the ISU said, adding that it has “full confidence in the scores awarded and remains fully committed to fairness.”
Silver medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States, gold medalists Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France and bronze medalists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada pose during the 2026 Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics at the Skating Arena in Milan on February 20, Italy. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)
US Figure Skating has declined to appeal the decision. However, Team USA’s Chock called for clearer scoring standards and tougher oversight of judges.
“Anytime the public is confused about results, it does a disservice to our sport,” said the American ice dancer. “I think it’s hard to retain fans when it’s hard to understand what’s happening on the ice … People need to understand what they’re cheering for and be able to feel safe in the sport they’re supporting.”
“We know how we felt on center ice after we skated. We felt like we put on our absolute best performance that we could have. That was our Olympic moment. It felt like a winning skate for us and that’s what we’re going to hold on to.
“I also think it’s important for the skaters that the referees are scrutinized and reviewed to make sure they’re also performing at their best because there’s a lot at stake for the skaters when they’re out there giving it their all and we deserve the referees to give us their all too and for it to be a fair and level playing field.”
