Olympic Bias SCANDAL: US Skaters Robbed
A French judge’s suspicious scoring stripped American gold medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of their rightful victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics, reigniting fears of international bias against U.S. athletes.
Story Highlights
- U.S. ice dance champions Chock and Bates took silver behind France by just over 1 point after a French judge awarded suspiciously high marks to the French pair.
- Defending 2022 gold medalists (upgraded in 2024 due to Russian doping) spoke graciously but highlighted the emotional toll amid fan outrage.
- Social media erupts with backlash, echoing the infamous 2002 Salt Lake City judging scandal involving French favoritism.
- ISU judging system vulnerabilities persist despite reforms, raising calls for anonymous or AI-assisted scoring to ensure fairness.
Event Unfolds in Milan
On February 11, 2026, during the ice dance free skate at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Madison Chock and Evan Bates scored 224.39 total points, including 134.67 in the free dance. The married U.S. couple, three-time Olympians and defending champions, led temporarily. France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron overtook them by a narrow margin of just over 1 point. A French judge delivered higher scores to the French pair and lower to the Americans, igniting immediate controversy.
French Judge’s Scores Spark Outrage
The unnamed French judge’s scoring disparity drew sharp social media backlash. Fans highlighted the anomaly, questioning national bias in a system meant to prevent it. This echoes the 2002 Salt Lake City scandal, where French judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne admitted pressure to favor Russians, prompting ISU reforms like anonymous judging. Despite changes, national affiliations of judges remain visible, fueling perceptions of favoritism that undermine Olympic integrity and American achievements.
Athletes Respond with Grace
Chock and Bates addressed the judging in an NBC News interview on February 13, 2026. Chock stated, “We’ve certainly gone through a roller coaster of emotions… proud of what we accomplished.” Bates emphasized resilience, telling fans, “The result here doesn’t define us… our work ethic is the real reward.” The couple, upgraded to 2022 gold after Russia’s Kamila Valieva doping disqualification, focused on personal pride over the dispute. Their parents praised the duo’s deep bond amid the setback.
Historical Precedents and Systemic Issues
Figure skating’s International Judging System (IJS) scores technical elements and program components via panels, yet remains vulnerable to bloc voting despite 2002 reforms. Chock and Bates entered 2026 as champions after receiving delayed 2022 medals at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. U.S. Figure Skating and Team USA back the veterans, whose legacy highlights persistent flaws. No formal ISU inquiry has launched as of February 13, leaving silver medals awarded amid simmering fan discontent.
Broader Implications for Fair Play
Short-term, social media pressure mounts on the ISU for review, boosting support for Chock and Bates. Long-term, the controversy erodes trust in IJS and renews demands for AI-assisted or fully anonymous judging. U.S. fans express disappointment, while French skaters face scrutiny. The event heightens nationalism debates in Olympics, straining U.S.-France sports ties and underscoring needs for reforms to protect merit-based victories central to American values of hard work and fairness.
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US Olympic figure skaters speak out on judging that denied them gold amid widespread questions