U.S. Olympic figure skating duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates are poised to compete at the upcoming 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, marking four years since a significant and complex chapter in their careers unfolded during the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Their journey to rightful Olympic gold has been marked by controversy, resilience, and ultimately, vindication.
At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Chock and Bates, alongside their American teammates, originally stood on the podium with silver medals in the figure skating team event. The gold medals had been awarded to Team Russia, led in part by the then 15-year-old Kamila Valieva, who was a standout performer in the competition. However, the celebration was clouded by doping allegations against Valieva, which would take years to resolve fully.
In December 2021, prior to the Olympics, Valieva tested positive for trimetazidine, a substance banned under anti-doping regulations. Despite the positive test, she was allowed to compete in Beijing due to ongoing legal and procedural reviews. The situation sparked intense debate and uncertainty throughout the Games and beyond. It wasn’t until January 2024 that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) officially found Valieva guilty of an anti-doping rule violation. As a result, she was suspended for four years, stripped of her competitive results since the positive test, and her team’s gold medal was rescinded.
Following this decision, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized the United States as the rightful gold medalists for the 2022 team figure skating event. Chock, Bates, and their American teammates were officially awarded their gold medals during a special ceremony held at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This moment, although delayed by more than two years, provided a measure of closure and celebration for the U.S. team.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Chock and Bates shared their thoughts during an interview at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee media summit. Bates expressed empathy for Valieva’s situation, acknowledging the immense pressure faced by a young athlete competing at the highest level. “It's hard to imagine what a 15-year-old has gone through under that kind of situation,” he said, emphasizing the need for grace and understanding for all athletes, regardless of circumstances. Chock echoed these sentiments, highlighting the shared humanity among competitors. She expressed a wish for Valieva to have a healthy and happy life, underscoring that, despite the challenges and controversies, athletes are all navigating their own personal journeys.
The delayed gold medal ceremony was a significant event for the U.S. figure skating team. Held at Champions Park in Paris in front of more than 13,000 fans, the ceremony included teammates Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Zachary Donohue, Brandon Frazier, Madison Hubbell, Alexa Knierim, and Vincent Zhou alongside Chock and Bates. Receiving their medals in such a public and celebratory setting was a moment that underscored the value of perseverance and the importance of recognizing both the triumphs and trials experienced along the way.
Chock reflected on the journey, noting that the challenges they faced have shaped them both as athletes and as individuals. “There’s an appreciation for the difficult times a little bit more than, I think, what we had in the past,” she said. The experience has deepened their understanding of the significance of every moment, good or bad, and reinforced their connection as a team.
In addition to their Olympic achievements, Chock and Bates have also excelled on the world stage. In March 2024, they made history by becoming the first ice dancers in nearly 30 years to win three consecutive World Championships. Their victory over Canadian rivals Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier further cemented their status as one of the premier ice dancing teams in the sport.
Looking ahead, Chock and Bates are preparing to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, aiming to build on their legacy and continue representing the United States at the highest level. Their story is one of resilience, sportsmanship, and the complex realities of competitive sports in the modern era.
This saga also highlights broader issues within international sports, including the ongoing battle against doping and the challenges of ensuring fair competition. The delayed justice in the case of Valieva and the U.S. figure skating team underscores the importance of robust anti-doping measures and the need for transparent