Sport

The judging panel is once again under scrutiny following the gold medal win by Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry in ice dance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The French pair’s victory has ignited debate, fueled by pre-existing controversies surrounding both athletes – accusations leveled against Cizeron by a former partner and the six-year suspension handed down to Fournier Beaudry’s former skating partner, Nikolaj Sorensen, following allegations of sexual assault.

Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry were aware that a win at the Games would likely draw intense reaction. The controversy intensified with questions raised about the scoring, specifically the marks awarded by the French judge during the free dance program. The pair secured the free dance with a score of 135.64, narrowly edging out Evan Bates and Madison Chock’s 134.62. However, the French judge awarded the home team a score of 137.45, significantly higher than the 129.74 given to the American duo.

The scoring has sparked outrage, particularly from the American team. According to reports, five of the nine judges gave their highest mark to Bates and Chock, while only four favored Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry. The American judge, while awarding their compatriots a top score of 137.67, also gave the French team a respectable 133.57.

Scoring Discrepancies Raise Concerns

“I think it would be helpful if things were more understandable for the viewers, if they could spot more transparency in the judging and understand what’s going on,” Madison Chock stated, as reported by CTV News. “It’s also important for the skaters that the judges are vetted and reviewed to be certain they are giving their best. There’s so much at stake for the skaters when they are on the ice giving their best, and we deserve to have judges who are giving their maximum, so the competition is fair and equitable.”

This incident is not isolated. Concerns about judging impartiality have resurfaced nearly a quarter-century after the judging scandal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. Many believe the sport needs to re-evaluate its judge selection process.

An analysis by Sportico of the ice dance results at the Milan Games revealed a pattern: 14 out of 15 couples received higher scores from their national judge. While the French judge’s scoring drew significant attention, it wasn’t the most substantial instance of bias. Spain and Italy’s judges awarded scores an average of 6.1 and 5.4 points higher, respectively, than the average.

The trend extended to other events as well, with nearly half of the competitors in Milan receiving their highest score from a judge of their own nationality. An ISU spokesperson, in a statement reported by multiple outlets, acknowledged that variations in judging are normal, stating, “It is normal that the scores awarded by the different judges of the same jury vary, as each brings their point of view and expertise to the evaluation.” The spokesperson added that mechanisms are in place to mitigate these variations, such as excluding the highest and lowest scores when calculating the average.

However, even with these safeguards, inflated or deflated scores can have an impact. The analysis highlighted the example of the Finnish judge, who scored both the American and French pairs with similar severity, giving both teams a score more than 3.5 points below their average. Crucially, because the French judge had already undervalued the American team, the low score from the Finnish judge was factored in for Bates and Chock, but disregarded for Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry.

Past Controversies Loom Large

The current scrutiny of Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry extends beyond the scoring controversy. Guillaume Cizeron previously skated with Gabriella Papadakis from 2004 to 2024, achieving significant success together. Fournier Beaudry, meanwhile, had a 13-season partnership with Nikolaj Sorensen before his suspension. Sorensen was barred from competition in 2024 for six years following allegations of sexual assault, as People Magazine reported. Fournier Beaudry publicly defended Sorensen following the allegations.

Cizeron, who initially retired after winning gold with Papadakis at the 2022 Olympics, reversed his decision and partnered with Fournier Beaudry in January 2025. He stated, according to reports, “I was also planning to retire, but I missed competing and the adrenaline rush.” Adding another layer to the situation, Papadakis had previously accused Cizeron of being controlling and demanding.

Fournier Beaudry, originally from Canada, recently obtained French citizenship to compete with Cizeron. The woman who accused Sorensen of sexual assault has voiced concerns that comments made by Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry create a “dangerous environment” for skaters who may be considering reporting abuse, as reported by CBC.

While the scoring discrepancies at the Milan Olympics have sparked immediate debate, the underlying issues of judging transparency and athlete safety remain critical concerns for the sport of figure skating. The ISU will likely face continued pressure to address these issues and ensure fair and equitable competition moving forward.

The coming weeks will likely see further discussion and potential review of the judging protocols. The focus will be on ensuring the integrity of the sport and fostering a safe environment for all athletes. Share your thoughts on the controversy in the comments below.