NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Team USA skating power couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates have withdrawn from the upcoming World Ice Dance Championships.
The decision will end their season and likely their competitive careers after their performances at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
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, Feb. 8, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)
Chock and Bates joined their Olympic teammate, gold medal sensation Alysa Liu, in withdrawing from worlds, after Liu announced she was retiring last weekend, surprising many fans.
Chock and Bates helped the United States defend its Olympic gold medal in figure skating in February, and then added a bittersweet silver in the individual competition. They came in second place behind the French duo of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, a result that was heavily scrutinized due to the scoring margins awarded by the French judge, Jézabel Dabouis.
“We left it all on the ice in Milan,” Bates said. “Our season feels complete with those four performances in which we gave our best.”
AMERICAN OLYMPIAN ALYSA LIU WAS THE TARGET OF CHINESE SPIES: THIS IS WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY ABOUT IT
USA’s Madison Chock and Evan Bates with the silver medals (left) and France’s Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry with the gold medals (right) after the figure skating ice dance, free dance, at the Milan Ice Skating Stadium on the fifth day of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Italy, February 11, 2026. (Fabrizio Carabelli/PA Images via Getty Images)
The decision sparked immense criticism from fans who believed the judge did not deliver accurate scores. However, the couple ultimately decided not to appeal the result.
Chock and Bates have not officially retired, but have hinted for the better part of 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 American history, winning a record seven national titles, three Grand Prix Final gold medals and numerous Grand Prix events.
They have been on the podium in the last four world championships and have triumphed in the last three.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete during the figure skating ice free skate at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
“Although we have decided not to compete in the world championship, we have very fond memories of winning the last three years,” Bates said. “Those accomplishments have meant a lot 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 American 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.
