At the recent U.S. figure skating championships, Evan Bates and Madison Chock faced a challenging situation. Despite winning their fifth ice dance national title, Bates was feeling under the weather due to a flu bug, which almost prevented them from performing. However, their spirits were lifted when they woke up on Tuesday morning to discover that they had become Olympic champions.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had made a ruling the day before, disqualifying Kamilia Valieva of the winning Russian squad following a failed doping test taken prior to the 2022 Beijing Games. This decision seemingly elevated Bates and Chock from second place to first in the team event. Yet, the distribution of medals was left in the hands of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Skating Union (ISU).
After a waiting period of approximately 24 hours, the IOC and ISU finally made their decision. The second-place Americans were declared the gold medalists, sparking a wave of celebratory text messages among the members of the team. However, out of the nine team members, only Chock and Bates remain actively competing.
Nathan Chen, who had won an individual Olympic gold medal with a captivating performance set to music by Elton John, has been focusing on his studies, though he has yet to officially retire from figure skating. Chen has been involved in various ventures including writing a memoir and a children's book, working in television, and engaging in philanthropic causes. In the coming weeks, he will be participating in a celebration of Scott Hamilton's gold medal from the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics, while also raising funds for cancer research.
Chen shared his perspective on the CAS decision during an interview with CNN This Morning, stating, 'This decision is certainly a win for clean sport. However, the fact that this happened at all is a win for no one.' The disqualification denied not only the Americans but also all the other teams the opportunity to stand on the Olympic podium in Beijing.
Notwithstanding the potential appeals from the Russian and Canadian teams, who argue for different outcomes, plans are already underway to honor the American team. Sarah Hirshland, the CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, has affirmed the intention to acknowledge their achievement. Chock mentioned in a text message exchange among Team USA that their dream scenario would be to hold a medal ceremony at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Such an event would not only commemorate their victory but also provide the American team with a rare opportunity to reunite. While some team members, like Vincent Zhou and Karen Chen, have shifted their focus to their academic pursuits, others, such as Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue, have tied the knot since the Beijing Games. Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, the pairs team who clinched the world title after the Olympics and secured silver last year, have chosen to take a break from competition this season but have not ruled out participating in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Despite the challenges they faced, Bates emphasized that this experience has brought the team closer together. With him and Chock being the only active competitors, they recognize the ephemeral nature of being an Olympic athlete. The two-year wait for resolution was undoubtedly difficult and demanding. However, the communication over the past 24 hours has been immensely jubilant, filled with expressions of love and camaraderie.
For Bates, the significance lies not solely in the medals but also in the bond and friendship that the team shares. He hopes that their actions off the ice, as well as their performances on the ice, will be remembered. This group of athletes has demonstrated resilience, unity, and a deep-rooted spirit that transcends any controversy or unexpected twists in their Olympic journey.
As the celebrations continue, the American team can now look forward to their much-anticipated medal ceremony, where they can stand proudly as Olympic champions, knowing that their achievements will be forever etched in the annals of figure skating history.
