Ice Dance SHOCKER: Cizeron & Fournier-Beaudry GOLD Stripped?! What Happens Now?!

**Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry Capture Olympic Ice Dance Gold in Milan**

Ice Dance SHOCKER: Cizeron & Fournier-Beaudry GOLD...

MILAN – A year ago, the idea of Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry standing atop the Olympic podium together was little more than a dream. Now, it's a dazzling reality. The French duo clinched Olympic gold in Ice dancing on Wednesday, a testament to their incredible talent, dedication, and perhaps, a little bit of fate. Their performance captivated the audience at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, securing France another gold medal.

The competition was fierce, though. Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry narrowly edged out reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States in a nail-biting free dance final. The Americans, who train alongside the French team in Montreal, brought their A-game with a fiery flamenco routine. But it wasn't quite enough. Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, known for their artistic and innovative programs, skated their way to a well-deserved bronze medal. It was a tough break for the Italian couple, Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri, who had to settle for fourth place on home ice, but they were clearly proud of their performance.

For Cizeron, this victory marks his second consecutive Olympic ice dance gold. He won gold in Beijing with Gabriella Papadakis. It’s always interesting to see partnerships shift, and even more intriguing when it leads to such success. Cizeron, now 31, and Fournier Beaudry, 33, carried a slim 0.46-point lead into the free dance. The pressure was on, no question.

Chock and Bates, skating to an orchestral version of the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black," delivered a performance filled with passion and precision. You could feel the energy in the arena. But, skating last, the French pair delivered a performance that was nothing short of mesmerizing. Set to the poignant soundtrack of the 2022 film "The Whale," their routine was both technically brilliant and emotionally resonant, earning them a score that put them 1.43 points ahead of the Americans. I have to say, it was one of those moments where you could feel the audience holding its breath.

Gilles and Poirier’s tribute to Vincent van Gogh's "Starry, Starry Night" was another highlight of the evening. Their artistry and connection to the music clearly resonated with the judges and the crowd. The Canadian team securing the bronze was a huge victory. Fournier Beaudry's journey to these Games is particularly noteworthy. A Canadian native, she obtained French citizenship just last November, opening the door for this partnership with Cizeron. Her former partner, Nikolaj Sorensen, was suspended amidst serious allegations dating back to 2012. Sorensen was actually in the audience. The story is complicated, and the past is always a factor, even on the ice. But today, the focus is on the French team and their stunning achievement.

Their path to Milan was further complicated by the recent release of Papadakis' book, which sparked controversy with its critical portrayal of her former partnership with Cizeron. It was a messy situation, no doubt, and a potential distraction in the lead up to the Games. But they managed to shut out the noise and deliver when it mattered most. Today, Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry are Olympic champions, and that's a story worth celebrating.

Published: February 12, 2026, 00:09 Updated: February 12, 2026, 00:13