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Team USA skating power couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates have withdrawn from the upcoming World Ice Dancing Championship.
The move will end their season and likely their competitive career after their performances at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
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Madison Chock and Evan Bates of Team USA pose with their gold medals after winning the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 8, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)
Chock and Bates joined their Olympic teammate, gold medal sensation Alysa Liu, in withdrawing from the world championships, after Liu announced she was withdrawing last weekend, surprising many fans.
Chock and Bates helped the United States defend its Olympic team gold medal in figure skating in February, then added a bittersweet silver medal in the individual competition. They ranked just behind the French duo Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, a highly scrutinized result due to the score margins given by French judge Jézabel Dabouis.
“We left everything on ice in Milan,” Bates said. “Our season seems to be over with these four performances where we gave the best of ourselves.”
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Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States with the silver medals (left) and Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry of France with the gold medals (right) after the figure skating ice dance, free dance, at the Milan Ice Skating Arena on the fifth day of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy, February 11, 2026. (Fabrizio Carabelli/PA Images via Getty Images)
The decision drew immense criticism from fans who felt the judge had not delivered accurate scores. However, the couple ultimately chose not to appeal the outcome.
Chock and Bates haven’t officially retired, but they hinted for nearly four years that they would step away from the competitive scene after the Milan Cortina Games. They will do so as two of the most decorated skaters in United States history, winning a record seven national titles, three Grand Prix Final gold medals and numerous Grand Prix events.
They have been on the podium at the last four world championships and have triumphed at the last three.
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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)
“Even though we have decided not to compete at the World Championships, we still have incredible memories of our victories over the past three years,” Bates said. “These accomplishments mean so much to us. We couldn’t be more grateful for all the love and support.”
Caroline Green and Michael Parsons will replace Chock and Bates on the U.S. ice dance team in Prague. They will join the Olympic teams of Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko and the duo of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik.
