The American determine skating duo of Evan Bates and Madison Chock needed to accept the silver medal in ice dancing at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and there was some controversy surrounding their free dance rating. After ending simply 0.43 factors behind the French staff of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, Chock known as for extra transparency from the judging course of. In response, the Worldwide Skating Union (ISU) issued an announcement defending how the judges — notably a choose from France — touchdown on their respective scores.
Following the rhythm dance portion of the occasion, Chock and Bates had been simply 0.46 factors behind Beaudry and Cizeron. Within the free dance, with the People favored to take house gold, 5 of 9 judges scored Chock and Bates larger than Beaudry and Cizeron. Three extra gave the French a slender edge.
Nevertheless, French choose Jezabel Dabouis scored the French duo greater than seven factors larger than the People — a large margin. In the long run, Beaudry and Cizeron received the occasion by simply 0.43 factors. Regardless of some criticism of the judging course of, the ISU stated a variety of scores throughout a number of judges is regular.
“It’s regular for there to be a spread of scores given by totally different judges in any panel and a variety of mechanisms are used to mitigate these variations,” the ISU stated, per the Related Press, including it has “full confidence within the scores given and stays fully dedicated to equity.”
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In an interview with CBS Information, Chock stated extra transparency would profit the skaters and followers. She additionally known as for extra thorough vetting of the judges.
“I feel it might undoubtedly be useful if it is extra comprehensible for the viewers to see extra clear judging and perceive what’s actually happening,” Chock stated. “It is also vital for the skaters that the judges be vetted and reviewed and that also they are placing out their greatest efficiency. There’s quite a bit on the road for the skaters once they’re on the market giving it their all. We additionally need to have the judges giving it their all and for it to be a good and even taking part in area.”
Whereas Chock and Bates took house a bittersweet silver medal within the ice dance occasion, they did choose up a gold medal earlier within the Olympics with a victory in staff determine skating.
