Madison Chock and Evan Bates plan to appeal Olympic ice dancing score

American figure skating couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates are reportedly considering appealing the score in the recent Olympic ice dancing final that earned them silver, while their French rivals took gold.

Chock was asked if they would consider appealing in an interview with Access Hollywood.

“I guess we would think about it. I think skating is such a subjective sport, but I think for the sake of fairness, it’s good for the judges to be scrutinized for their work. Not just after this competition but at every competition, to make sure there’s a level playing field for all athletes,” Chock said.

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“We did everything we could. We wouldn’t have changed anything about our performance, or any of our performances, or the way we approached the week. We’re very proud of the work we did. We left nothing to chance, so we could leave the Games satisfied and accomplished with ourselves.”

The couple was looking to win gold, but came second to the French duo Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron.

A French judge gave Beaudry and Cizeron a higher score than Chock and Bates, ultimately allowing the French team to win gold over the Americans. The judging was the subject of controversy on social media, with some saying Chock and Bates should have been given a higher score.

Chock and Bates followed the French couple by 0.46 of a point entering the free dance Wednesday night, and they were looking for their first Olympic medal in ice dancing with the hope that it would obviously be gold.

US OLYMPIC FIGURE SKATERS Speak Out on Judgment That Denied Them Gold Amid Widespread Questions

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete in the figure skating ice dance free skate at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Their matador routine, dancing to a rendition of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It, Black,” drew cheers from the crowd, and they finished with tears in their eyes.

They finished with 224.39 after scoring 134.67 in their free dance.

Chock and Bates won team gold twice after Team USA won Sunday, but they had to watch another routine to see if they could win gold when Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron took the ice.

But the judges decided the French duo had done enough to ultimately defeat the Americans.

Beaudry and Cizeron earned a score of 135.64 in the free dance for a total of 225.82.

Chock has since requested an audit of the judges.

Shock said CBS News“It would” definitely be helpful if it was more understandable for viewers, just seeing a more transparent judgment and understanding… what’s really going on.

“I think it’s also important for the skaters, that the judges are monitored and scrutinized to make sure that they’re also giving their best performance,” she continued, “because there’s a lot at stake for the skaters when they’re out there and giving their best, and we deserve for the judges to give us their best as well and for it to be a fair and level playing field.”

Bates told USA Today: “We felt like we had the best performance possible. It was our Olympic moment. It felt like a winning skate for us, and that’s what we’re going to hold on to.”

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Silver medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States skate with their medals after competing in the figure skating ice dance free skate at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Milan, Italy, February 11, 2026. (Francisco Seco/AP Photo)

Bates also praised fans who are speaking out in support of the American couple, amid the controversy.

“It means a lot that people are expressing their opinions on our behalf,” Bates said. “The way we skated and the way we approached the pursuit of these goals I hope resonated with people at home, even in our response. I hope that too can reflect the Olympic spirit.”