French ice dancers Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry have been thought-about gold-medal contenders earlier than the 2026 Winter Olympics even start.
Olympic medalist Cizeron joined forces with Fournier Beaudry in January 2025, rapidly changing into a power within the ice dancing self-discipline. Their partnership, nevertheless, has been met with controversy. Hold scrolling for a full historical past:
Who Did Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry Skate With Earlier than?
Guillaume Cizeron was paired with Gabriella Papadakis from 2004 to 2024, throughout which they gained numerous championships. As for Laurence Fournier Beaudry, she skated with boyfriend Nikolaj Sorensen for 13 seasons. He was barred from the game in fall 2024 for six years over alleged sexual mistreatment.
When Did Guillaume Cizeron Retire?
After Guillaume Cizeron and associate Gabriella Papadakis gained gold on the 2022 Olympics, he determined to hold up his skates. Cizeron, nevertheless, determined to stroll again his 2024 retirement resolution the following 12 months and enlisted Laurence Fournier Beaudry, his childhood pal, as his associate.
“I used to be additionally planning to retire, however I missed competing and the adrenaline rush,” Cizeron stated in French in 2026’s Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing docuseries.
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What Occurred to Guillaume Cizeron’s Partnership With Gabriella Papadakis?
Simply earlier than the 2026 Olympics, Gabriella Papadakis launched her memoir, In order To not Disappear, wherein she insinuated her partnership with Guillaume Cizeron didn’t finish amicably and alleged that Cizeron was controlling.
“Within the face of this smear marketing campaign, I need to categorical my incomprehension and disagreement with the labels attributed to me,” Cizeron informed French media in a January 2026 assertion. “The guide comprises false info, together with statements I by no means made, which I contemplate critical. For greater than 20 years, I’ve proven deep respect for Gabriella Papadakis, regardless of the gradual erosion of our bond, our relationship was constructed on equal collaboration and marked by success and mutual assist.”
How Nikolaj Sorensen’s Misconduct Scandal Affected Laurence Fournier Beaudry
Laurence Fournier Beaudry skated along with her boyfriend, Nikolaj Sorensen, for 13 years earlier than his six-year ban from the game. (Sorensen was accused of sexual misconduct by a fellow skater in 2012, which he denied.)
“After they determined to droop him, it meant that his profession was over, which additionally meant that my profession was over,” Fournier Beaudry stated in Glitter & Gold. “This was extraordinarily troublesome as a result of it was not solely about skating, it was about my integrity, it was about his integrity. I do know my boyfriend 100%. I do know him, and we (stood) sturdy collectively.
Fournier Beaudry felt that her profession turned “collateral harm” as each her and Sorensen’s “integrity” was examined.
“I by no means actually publicly focus on how a lot harm it’s created,” she tearfully added within the Netflix doc. “I don’t even need to return to what I’ve felt in these moments as a result of I assumed I used to be so sturdy, and I actually thought I may deal with every part.”
Sorensen’s suspension was finally overturned by a Canadian arbitrator for jurisdictional causes and stays beneath attraction.
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron participate in an Ice Dance coaching session forward of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Video games in February 2026.
Jamie Squire/Getty PicturesWhy Did Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry Pair Up?
“Attending to skate with my finest pal was form of, like, ‘You recognize what? I really like skating, I really like spending time with Guillaume,’” Laurence Fournier Beaudry stated in Glitter & Gold. “I feel this might give me my alternative to complete my profession how I need to end.”
As for Guillaume Cizeron, he acknowledged within the docuseries that it initially felt “not possible” to start out recent with a brand new associate.
“(We had) been skating in the identical college with the identical coaches for over 10 years, so we now have the same technical background,” Cizeron stated. “The truth that we’re teaming up late in our careers, in our 30s, that’s clearly very uncommon for ice dance.”
2026 Olympics Standings
Whereas Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry didn’t lead Group France to a podium end within the staff occasion, they stood a very good probability at medaling of their particular person competitions. The pair’s Madonna-themed rhythm dance secured Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry first place going into the free dance. Madison Chock and Evan Bates adopted in second, adopted by Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier in third. Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry finally earned the gold medal following the free dance, whereas Chock and Bates taking house the silver. Gilles and Poirier, in the meantime, earned bronze.