2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Figure Skating: France’s Dramatic Golden Triumph in Milan-Cortina

The 2026 Winter Olympics men figure skating spotlight at the Milan-Cortina Games delivered not just elite athletic brilliance but also one of the most dramatic comeback stories in Olympic history. In a competition filled with technical mastery, razor-thin margins, and off-ice controversy, France emerged at the top of the podium in a performance that will be remembered for years.

While the ice dance event often shares the global spotlight with men’s singles, this year’s narrative blurred the lines. At the heart of the story was French skating icon Guillaume Cizeron, who captured his second Olympic gold medal — this time with a new partner, Laurence Fournier Beaudry — at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Their journey, marked by controversy, reinvention, and competitive excellence, became one of the defining chapters of the Games.

A New Partnership, Instant Chemistry

The French duo competed together for the first time only in November prior to the Olympics. Yet their rise was meteoric. Within months, they claimed five victories in six major competitions, including the prestigious 2026 European Figure Skating Championships.

Their Olympic campaign in Milan was nothing short of flawless:

• Rhythm Dance: A sharp, technically polished routine to Madonna’s Vogue.
• Free Dance: A deeply emotional performance set to the soundtrack of The Whale.
• Final Margin: A razor-thin 0.46-point advantage after the rhythm dance secured their edge heading into the free program.

Judges awarded the French pair the highest combined score across both segments, praising their superior step sequence and technical execution.

Cizeron later reflected on their rapid success:

“From the beginning we had a lot of similarities in how we trained and approached things. It was also a chance to evolve — and we had fun from day one.”

Olympic Podium: World-Class Competition

The final podium at Milan-Cortina reflected extraordinary global talent:

• 🥇 France: Guillaume Cizeron & Laurence Fournier Beaudry
• 🥈 USA: Madison Chock & Evan Bates
• 🥉 Canada: Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier

Chock and Bates — three-time world champions and team event gold medallists — pushed the French pair to the limit. Meanwhile, Canada’s Gilles and Poirier delivered one of their most technically refined programs to secure bronze.

The competition highlighted why figure skating remains one of the most compelling disciplines at the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s figure skating and ice dance events.

Citizenship, Controversy & A Career Reset

Laurence Fournier Beaudry’s journey to Olympic gold is as remarkable as the performance itself.

Previously representing Canada and Denmark, she obtained French citizenship in November to partner with Cizeron. The move was fast-tracked to ensure France remained competitive at the highest level.

She acknowledged Canada’s role in her development:

“I wouldn’t be here without the support of the Canadian federation and our Montreal training centre. The best coaches in the world are there.”

Her transition came after Cizeron’s split from longtime partner Gabriella Papadakis, with whom he won Olympic gold at Beijing 2022 and five world titles.

Papadakis later released a memoir describing their partnership as “unbalanced,” alleging controlling behavior. Cizeron strongly denied the claims, calling them a “smear campaign” and initiating legal action.

The off-ice tension intensified when Papadakis, working as a figure skating broadcaster since 2024, was removed from NBC’s Olympic coverage due to a reported conflict of interest.

Despite the distractions, Cizeron emphasized mental focus:

“We created a bubble around ourselves. The love we have for the sport kept us steady.”

The Sorensen Suspension and Public Backlash

The controversy didn’t end there.

Fournier Beaudry previously competed with Canadian skater Nikolaj Sorensen, who received a six-year suspension in 2025 following a sexual assault allegation dating back to 2012. Sorensen has denied the allegation, calling it false.

Fournier Beaudry publicly supported him, stating in the Netflix documentary Glitter and Gold:

“I know my boyfriend 100%. I know him.”

Her comments were criticized by the anonymous complainant, who argued they could discourage victims from reporting abuse.

Since gaining French citizenship, Fournier Beaudry has declined further comment on the matter — focusing instead on her Olympic preparation.

Technical Breakdown: Why France Won

In the 2026 Winter Olympics men figure skating spotlight event:

✔ Higher technical base value in rhythm dance
✔ Superior step sequence execution
✔ Cleaner transitions in free dance
✔ Stronger GOE (Grade of Execution)
✔ Emotional interpretation paired with precision

While figure skating judging has long been debated for subjectivity, the scoring margins in Milan were extremely narrow — and France’s technical consistency ultimately proved decisive.

A Defining Moment at Milan-Cortina 2026

The Milan arena witnessed not just an Olympic victory but a career reinvention.

Guillaume Cizeron became one of the rare skaters to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals with different partners — a testament to adaptability and elite skill. Laurence Fournier Beaudry’s rapid transition to French representation culminated in the highest honor the sport offers.

They may not be universally celebrated figures, given the controversies surrounding them, but on Olympic ice — under maximum pressure — they were unmatched.

Conclusion: Legacy of the 2026 Winter Olympics Men Figure Skating

The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s figure skating narrative at Milan-Cortina will be remembered for:

• A stunning new French partnership
• Technical brilliance under pressure
• Off-ice drama that heightened the stakes
• A razor-thin battle for Olympic gold

In the end, medals are decided by performance — and in Milan, France delivered when it mattered most.

The 2026 Games once again proved why figure skating remains one of the most emotionally charged and technically demanding spectacles in Olympic sport.