Madison Chock and Evan Bates, the U.S. figure skating duo, are set to compete in the Milano-Cortina Olympics in February after a doping controversy delayed their gold medal victory from the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Russian skater Kamila Valieva’s doping violation stripped her of her gold, allowing the U.S. team to reclaim the title. The athletes have expressed thoughtful comments on the situation, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding for athletes facing difficult circumstances.
Chock and Bates initially had to settle for team silver with their American teammates on the podium at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Team Russia and Kamila Valieva, who was 15 at the time, stood above them with their gold medals. It wasn’t until the end of January 2024, when the CAS found Valieva guilty of an anti-doping rule violation, that Chock, Bates, and the U.S. were declared the rightful 2,022 gold medalists. Valieva tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance, during an anti-doping test at the Russian Figure Skating Championships in December 2021. She was suspended for four years and stripped of all competitive results since that date.
Chock and Bates spoke about their message to Valieva during an interview at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee media summit. Bates acknowledged the stress and challenges faced by young athletes, stating, ‘It’s hard to imagine what a 15-year-old has gone through and under that kind of situation.’ He emphasized the need for grace and understanding, stating, ‘We can never really know the full situation from our point of view.’ Chock added, ‘I would just wish her well, like I would. Life is short, and we’re all humans going through our own experiences. It’s important to remember we’re a collective, and we’re all here for this one moment on earth.’
Chock and Bates had to wait more than two years after the initial Olympics to receive their gold medals. They were finally presented with them during a ceremony at the Paris Olympics last summer, where they were celebrated in front of over 13,000 fans. Chock reflected on the value of the experiences they had leading up to the moment, stating, ‘There’s an appreciation for the difficult times a little bit more than what we had in the past. Everything has kind of come together in a way that made us who we are as people and as a team.’
Chock and Bates have now become the first ice dancers to win three consecutive world championships in nearly three decades, having defeated Canadian rivals Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier in March. They continue to represent the United States on the global stage, showcasing their skill and dedication in the sport of figure skating.