France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron won gold in the figure skating ice dance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, finishing on 225.82 points at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Wednesday 11 February 2026. Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates took silver at 224.39, with Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier rounding out the podium on 217.74 in a contest decided by barely a point and a half.
What is Olympic Ice Dance?
Ice dance is the figure skating discipline most closely related to ballroom dancing on ice. Couples perform a rhythm dance on day one and a free dance on day two, with scores combined to produce a final total. Unlike pairs skating, ice dance features no overhead lifts and no throws or jumps, putting the focus on edge work, synchronisation, timing and musical interpretation. It has been part of the Olympic programme since 1976 and remains one of the most closely judged events in winter sport.
When did the event take place?
The ice dance competition ran across 9 and 11 February 2026, with the rhythm dance on Monday and the free dance on Wednesday evening. The free dance began around 19:00 local time (CET), with the medal order decided shortly after 22:00.
Where was it held?
The Milano Ice Skating Arena, also known as the Milano Ice Park at the Mediolanum Forum in Assago, hosted all Olympic figure skating events. The venue, normally home to basketball club Olimpia Milano, was converted for the Games with an Olympic-standard rink and upgraded lighting. Milan last hosted a major figure skating championship at the 2018 European Championships at the same arena.
Results
Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron led after the rhythm dance with 90.18, a personal best, and held on in the free dance with 135.64 for a combined 225.82. Chock and Bates, the Beijing 2022 bronze and 2024 world silver medallists, pushed them all the way with a matador-themed free dance featuring flamenco choreography, scoring 134.67 for 224.39. Gilles and Poirier took bronze with 217.74, capping a long career together with their first Olympic medal. The judging panel drew criticism afterwards over synchronisation deductions in the twizzle sequences.
Background and form going in
Cizeron, a Pyeongchang 2018 silver and Beijing 2022 silver medallist with former partner Gabriella Papadakis, returned to Olympic competition with Fournier Beaudry after Papadakis’s retirement. The new pairing had built steadily through the 2024–26 cycle, winning the 2025 World Championships. Chock and Bates were the defending world champions entering the Games, while Gilles and Poirier, both in their mid-thirties, were competing at what they had said would be their final Olympics.
History and records
The gold medal was Cizeron’s first Olympic title after two silvers, and the first French Olympic ice dance gold since Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat at Salt Lake City 2002. Fournier Beaudry, originally Canadian, had switched federations to skate for France and became the first Canadian-born athlete to win an Olympic ice dance gold for another nation. Chock and Bates, in their fourth Games together, added silver to their 2022 bronze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold in Ice Dance at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France, with a total of 225.82.
How close was the contest?
France won by 1.43 points from the United States, a narrow margin in an event where small deductions decide medals.
Where was it held?
At the Milano Ice Skating Arena (Mediolanum Forum) in Assago, Italy.
Was there any controversy?
Yes. Judging panels drew criticism over inconsistencies in twizzle deductions between national and neutral judges.