USA's Chock, Bates call ice dancing silver medal 'bittersweet'
by Alex Butler · UPIFeb. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates called their second-place finish in the free dance "bittersweet" at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The decorated duo, who competed in their first Olympics as husband and wife, finished just behind Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France in the event Wednesday in Milan. The winning due totaled a 225.82, just ahead of the Americans' 224.39.
Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier placed third at 217.74.
Chock and Bates, who finished fourth in the event at the 2022 Winter Olympics, told reporters it is "to be determined," when asked about their future in the sport.
"It's definitely a little bittersweet, because we are so, so happy with how we performed this week," Chock told NBC.
"We've had an incredible career, and we've been so well supported by our families and our coaches and by each other. Sometimes that's just how it shakes out. This is the story for us, and I wouldn't change anything."
Fournier Beaudry and partner Nokolaj Sorensen placed eighth in 2022. Gilles and Poirier placed sixth.
Chock and Bates earned gold medals through Sunday's team event at Milan-Cortina. The world champions in 2023, 2024 and 2025 also won gold in that event in 2022.
Winter Olympics: Team USA's Madison Chock, Evan Bates win silver
Silver medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of Team USA wear their silver medals after the ice dance competition at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on February 11, 2026. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo