Madison Chock and Evan Bates left the ice in Milan with silver medals around their necks and a mix of pride and perspective in their voices.
The American ice dance duo delivered a polished, emotionally charged free dance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, earning a score of 224.39. It was a performance strong enough to win on most nights, but this time it placed them just behind France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who edged out the field with 225.82. Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier rounded out the podium at 217.74.
For Chock and Bates, the result carried extra meaning. Competing in their first Olympic Games as husband and wife, the pair described the silver medal as bittersweet. After finishing fourth in 2022, they entered Milan determined to capitalize on years of momentum built through three consecutive world titles from 2023 to 2025.
Their Olympic campaign included a gold medal in the team event earlier in the week, reinforcing their reputation as one of the most consistent and artistically refined teams of this era. Still, the narrow margin in the free dance left little room for error in a discipline where fractions of a point can define history.
Chock acknowledged the complex emotions that follow such a close finish, noting how proud they were of their performances throughout the week. She reflected on the support of family, coaches, and each other, emphasizing gratitude over regret.
The silver marks another chapter in a decorated career that has spanned multiple Olympic cycles. Meanwhile, the French champions completed a remarkable climb from eighth place in 2022 to the top of the podium in Milan. Gilles and Poirier also improved on their previous Olympic showing, moving from sixth four years ago to bronze this time.
As for what comes next, Chock and Bates are keeping their options open. When asked about their future in the sport, they said any decision about retirement or continuing to compete remains to be determined.
For now, their legacy continues to grow, defined not just by medals but by resilience, partnership, and a career that has consistently placed them among the world’s elite.