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Team USA skating power couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates have pulled out of the upcoming World Ice Dance Championships.
The decision will end their season and likely their competitive career following their performance at the Cortina Olympics in Milan.
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Team USA’s Madison Chock and Evan Bates pose with their gold medals after winning the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on February 8, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)
Chock and Bates joined Olympic teammate, gold medal sensation Alysa Liu, in withdrawing from worlds after Liu announced her withdrawal this past weekend, surprising many fans.
Chock and Bates helped the United States defend its Olympic figure skating gold medal in February, then added a bittersweet silver in the individual competition. They were a close second to French duo Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, a result that was scrutinized due to the scoring margins imposed by French referee Jézabel Dabouis.
“We left it all on the ice in Milan,” Bates said. “Our season feels complete with the four performances where we delivered our best.”
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USA’s Madison Chock and Evan Bates with the silver medals (left) and France’s Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry with the gold medals (right) after the figure skating ice dance, free dance, at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, on day five of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy, on February 1, 2026. (Fabrizio Carabelli/PA Images via Getty Images)
The decision drew huge criticism from fans who felt the referee was not delivering accurate results. However, the couple ultimately chose not to appeal the result.
Chock and Bates have not officially retired, but they have hinted for more than four years that they would move away from the competitive scene after the Milan Cortina Games. They will do so as two of the most decorated skaters in American history, winning a record seven national titles, three Grand Prix Final gold medals and numerous Grand Prix events.
They have been on the podium at the last four World Championships and triumphed at the last three.
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Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete during the ice dancing free skate in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
“Although we have decided not to compete at the world championships, we keep a lot of the incredible memories from winning the last three years,” said Bates. “Those achievements have meant so much to us. We couldn’t be more appreciative of all the love and support.”
Caroline Green and Michael Parsons replace Chock and Bates on the US ice dance team in Prague. They will join the Olympic teams of Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko and the duo of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik.
