Madison Chock and Evan Bates Make History at U.S. Figure Skating Championships

A Triumphant Final Performance

Madison Chock and Evan Bates delivered a breathtaking performance on Saturday, securing their record-setting seventh U.S. Figure Skating title. The three-time reigning world champions captivated the audience with their flamenco-style dance to a version of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” from “Westworld.” Their season-best free skate earned them an impressive 228.87 points, solidifying their position as heavy favorites for gold at the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics. The moment was particularly poignant for the couple as Chock expressed, “The feeling that we got from the audience today was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. I felt so much love and joy, and I’m so grateful for this moment.” This victory marks a significant milestone in their illustrious career as they prepare for what could be their final Olympic appearance.

The Road to Milan and Team Selection

Following the championships, U.S. Figure Skating will announce its Olympic selections on Sunday. Joining Chock and Bates on the podium were Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, who secured second place with 213.65 points, and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, who took third with 206.95 points. These pairs are likely to complete the American ice dancing squad for the Winter Games. The men’s competition was also underway, with two-time world champion Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” building such a commanding lead after his short program that he seemed poised to claim his fourth consecutive national title. With the United States having qualified the maximum of three men’s spots for the Olympics, there was fierce competition among Tomoko Hiwatashi, fan favorite Jason Brown, Andrew Torgashev, and Maxim Naumov for the remaining podium positions and potential Olympic berths.

A Long-Awaited Olympic Vindication

Chock and Bates’ journey to the top has been marked by both triumph and delayed justice. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, they initially had to settle for team silver while the Russian team, including Kamila Valieva, was awarded gold. However, after a prolonged investigation, the Court of Arbitration for Sport found Valieva guilty of an anti-doping rule violation in January 2024. The Russian skater, who was only 15 at the time of the Olympics, tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine during the Russian Figure Skating Championships in December 2021. As a result, Valieva received a four-year suspension, was stripped of her results, and the American team was rightfully declared the 2022 gold medalists after waiting more than two years for this resolution.

Compassion in Competition

Despite the circumstances surrounding their delayed Olympic gold, Chock and Bates have demonstrated remarkable compassion and perspective regarding Valieva’s situation. When asked what message they would have for the young Russian skater, Bates reflected on the immense pressure faced by athletes, especially those as young as Valieva. “It’s hard to, I think, imagine what a 15-year-old has gone through under that kind of situation,” Bates said. “And I know how stressful it is, being an elite athlete as an adult, as a 36-year-old. And I think that grace should be given to humans across the board.” Chock added her own thoughtful perspective: “I would just wish her well. I think life is short. And, at the end of the day, we’re all human just going through our own human experience together… I just wish people to have healthy, happy lives, full of people that love them.” Their ability to remain empathetic while navigating such a challenging situation speaks volumes about their character.

A Golden Ceremony in Paris

The long-awaited recognition for Chock, Bates, and their teammates finally came during the Paris Olympics last summer. In a specialized gold medal ceremony, Chock and Bates, along with teammates Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Zachary Donohue, Brandon Frazier, Madison Hubbell, Alexa Knierim, and Vincent Zhou, received their rightful gold medals before more than 13,000 cheering fans. The moment represented not just athletic achievement but the culmination of patience and perseverance through a complex international sporting controversy. The ceremony provided closure for the athletes who had waited so long to be recognized for their Olympic triumph, allowing them to finally celebrate their accomplishment on the world stage they deserved.

Historic Champions Looking Ahead to Olympic Glory

Chock and Bates’ dominance in ice dancing reached historic proportions in March when they became the first ice dance team in nearly three decades to win three consecutive world championships, defeating their Canadian rivals Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. This remarkable achievement, coupled with their record-setting seventh national title, establishes them as one of the most successful ice dance teams in history. As they prepare for the Milan Cortina Olympics, they carry not only the momentum of their recent triumphs but also the wisdom gained through years of elite competition and the emotional journey of their delayed Olympic recognition. With their artistic brilliance, technical mastery, and unwavering partnership, Chock and Bates stand on the precipice of potentially adding another Olympic gold medal to their already legendary career, cementing their legacy in the world of figure skating.