Questions About Ice Dance Judging at Winter Olympics

Some people are asking questions about the scores in the ice dance event at the Winter Olympics. A petition has been started to look into how a French judge gave scores, as some think they were not fair. This is a complex issue in sports.
By Newsroom | Winter Olympics, Figure Skating |

Concerns over potential manipulation in figure skating's ice dance competition at the Winter Olympics have surfaced, following the narrow victory of the French pair Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron over the American duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates. A petition has been launched, calling for an investigation into the judging, with particular attention focused on the scoring record of a French judge, Jezabel Dabouis.

'True champions' of Winter Olympics figure skating 'rigging' scandal call for vetting of French judge as her dubious voting history emerges - 1

The Competitive Landscape

The ice dance final saw Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron awarded the gold medal, with Chock and Bates taking silver. The outcome has led to widespread debate and accusations of a "rigging" scandal among some observers, particularly in the United States. The core of the controversy appears to hinge on perceived disparities in how different judges scored the performances, with the French judge's marks frequently cited as an outlier.

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'True champions' of Winter Olympics figure skating 'rigging' scandal call for vetting of French judge as her dubious voting history emerges - 2

Emerging Questions About Judging

The allegations of impropriety have been amplified by a review of judge Jezabel Dabouis's past scoring decisions.

'True champions' of Winter Olympics figure skating 'rigging' scandal call for vetting of French judge as her dubious voting history emerges - 3

  • Frequency of Scoring: It is reported that Dabouis has judged Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron in six competitions over the past year.

  • Discrepant Scores: Claims suggest that Dabouis awarded the French pair higher marks than fellow judges on multiple occasions, even when the French team reportedly made errors.

  • Specific Events: Reports point to scoring at the European Championships and the Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Japan, where Dabouis's marks are noted as being significantly different from the majority of other judges.

This voting history has led to calls for a "vetting" of judges, ensuring impartiality and accuracy in scoring.

'True champions' of Winter Olympics figure skating 'rigging' scandal call for vetting of French judge as her dubious voting history emerges - 4

Differing Perspectives on Performances

While some observers are raising questions about the judging, other viewpoints acknowledge the subjective nature of the sport and the quality of the performances.

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  • American Advocate: Observers supporting Chock and Bates feel the American pair was unfairly scored, suggesting their performance warranted a higher placement. One report notes the Spanish judge gave Chock and Bates their lowest scores in certain categories.

  • French Supporter: Conversely, some expressed a preference for the French pair's performance. One report mentions that Fournier Beaudry has vocally defended her partner on different occasions.

  • American Judge: In contrast to the scrutiny on Dabouis, the American judge on the free dance panel, Janis Engel, reportedly gave Chock and Bates the highest combined technical and program score among the nine judges.

This highlights a complex scenario where scoring interpretations vary significantly.

Historical Precedents and Calls for Action

The current situation has also drawn comparisons to past controversies in figure skating judging.

  • Past Scandals: A notable past event involved French judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne and a "pairs-skating scandal" dubbed "Skategate" in 2002, which brought embarrassment to the sport. In that instance, the judge reportedly recanted a statement about favoring Russian skaters.

  • Calls for Investigation: A petition has been established on Change.org, urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Skating Union (ISU) to investigate the judging, emphasizing the need for impartial and meticulous scoring. The goal is to ensure athletes' talents are "justly recognized."

Conclusion and Implications

The controversy surrounding the ice dance competition at the Winter Olympics is ongoing. The central focus remains on the scoring of the French judge, Jezabel Dabouis, whose voting history has become a point of significant discussion. The existence of a petition and the calls for official scrutiny by the IOC and ISU indicate that the sport is facing pressure to address these concerns. The situation underscores the delicate balance between subjective artistic interpretation and objective scoring in elite figure skating competitions.

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Sources Used:

Read More: Figure Skating Judge Questioned After Close Olympic Ice Dance

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main problem with the ice dance scores?
Some people think the scores given by one French judge might not have been fair. They worry the scores were too high for one team.
Q: What are people asking for?
A petition has been started. It asks the Olympic leaders to look into the judging to make sure it is fair for all athletes.
Q: Has this happened before in skating?
Yes, there was a judging problem in figure skating a long time ago, in 2002. This made people unhappy with the sport.