Madison Chock and Evan Bates, a figure skating couple representing the USA, are deliberating the possibility of appealing the judges' scoring in the Olympic ice dancing final where they earned a silver medal, behind their French rivals who received gold. In a recent interview with Access Hollywood, Chock expressed the subjective nature of figure skating and emphasized the importance of fairness in judging, suggesting that reviews of judges’ scoring should occur not just after controversial competitions but regularly for the transparency and integrity of the sport.

Chock articulated their pride in the performance they delivered at the Olympics, insisting they could not have done anything differently. Their preparation was thorough, and they believe they left nothing to chance, achieving a personal sense of satisfaction despite not securing the gold medal. Such a sentiment highlights the emotional investment athletes make in their performances and the psychological impact of competing at such a high level.

The controversy surrounding judging in figure skating is not new, as the sport has seen criticisms regarding subjectivity and inconsistent scoring. As the couple weighs their options, their situation could potentially spark a broader conversation about the judging systems in ice skating and how they affect competitive fairness, not only for them but for future athletes as well.