The victory of Guillaume Cizeron et Laurence Fournier Beaudry The decision to include ice dancing at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics has sparked controversy. Gabriella Papadakis, former partner of Guillaume CizeronThe event is far from a celebration. In a message posted on Instagram shortly after the coronation, she expressed her need to... "Disconnect"She accompanied these words with a photo of herself holding a glass of wine and a pack of cigarettes. Her followers responded with a flood of support, demonstrating their solidarity with a skater who was clearly going through a difficult time.
An explosive separation and revelations in a book
Four years after their Olympic victory in Beijing in 2022 and a silver medal in Pyeongchang in 2018, Gabriella Papadakis et Guillaume Cizeron ended their partnership in 2024 amid intense personal conflicts. In his book To avoid disappearing, published in January 2026, Gabriella Papadakis describes a climate of control, fear and psychological violence. "In private, he's not the same anymore; he's often controlling, demanding, and critical. I avoid skating with him unless a coach is supervising me. The idea of being alone with him terrifies me."she writes. She also recounts "Arguments, constant fear, health problems, the feeling of being under some form of control."
His explicit denunciation of the behavior of Guillaume Cizeron has ignited a firestorm in the world of figure skating and revived existing controversies surrounding her former partner.
The boomerang effect
The publication of his book triggered an immediate reaction from Guillaume Cizeronwho filed a formal notice against Gabriella Papadakis for defamation. The former Olympic champion was thus removed from her role as a consultant for NBC during the 2026 Olympics, a major blow to her burgeoning career. In The Teamshe confided: "Losing an opportunity to start a new career is very difficult to cope with. I understand NBC's position, but yes, I feel a sense of injustice about it."
This decision was seen by many as yet another illustration of the influence of lobbyists and media pressure in figure skating, an environment where controlling the image of athletes often takes precedence over their well-being.
A victory that is causing controversy in the United States
In the United States, the duo's victory Guillaume Cizeron - Laurence Fournier Beaudry is widely criticized. USA Today talks about a choice "Disastrous" for sport, pointing to the accusations made by Gabriella Papadakis on character " toxic " de Guillaume Cizeron.
The article also highlights the past of Laurence Fournier Beaudry, former partner of Nikolaj Sorensensuspended in 2024 for six years following accusations of sexual assault against an American coach. Although the suspension was lifted in June 2025, this case continues to fuel criticism of the integrity of the new Olympic champion duo.
Christine Brennan, journalist for USA Today, writing : "What a terrible message figure skating has just sent to survivors and victims of sexual abuse, as well as to parents who want their children to participate in a safe sport. Figure skating has just awarded Olympic gold medals to a team that wouldn't exist without the investigation and subsequent suspension of alleged sexual abuser Nikolaj Sorensen, who was consistently supported by this duo."
