French ice dancer Guillaume Cizeron is making a bold bid for a second Olympic gold medal at Milano Cortina 2026, embarking on a remarkable late-career transformation with new partner Laurence Fournier Beaudry.
European Championship Success Signals Olympic Potential
The newly formed duo has already proven their competitive prowess, securing the 2026 European Championship title with an impressive total score of 222.43 points. Their performance included a stellar free dance score of 135.50 and a rhythm dance score of 86.93, establishing them as serious contenders for Olympic glory.
A New Chapter After Legendary Partnership
Cizeron’s illustrious career previously included five world championships and two Olympic medals—gold in 2022 and silver in 2018—with former partner Gabriella Papadakis. Following their post-Beijing hiatus and eventual separation, Cizeron faced a crucial decision: retire at his peak or venture into uncharted territory with a new partner.
Defying Convention in Ice Dance
The 2025 partnership with Fournier Beaudry, an accomplished skater with international experience, challenged traditional ice dance wisdom. The discipline typically requires years of partnership development before reaching elite competitive levels.
“I had nothing to lose and a deep desire to create something new,” Cizeron explained about his comeback decision.
Rapid Rise to Competitive Excellence
The pair’s trajectory has been remarkable, quickly ascending to the sport’s highest echelons. Their achievements include a silver medal at the 2025/26 ISU Grand Prix Final, where they finished behind American champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates.
Technical Mastery Meets Artistic Innovation
Their partnership combines Cizeron’s renowned edge control and glide with Fournier Beaudry’s performance prowess and speed. Their programs strategically balance artistic expression with technical precision, avoiding unnecessary risks while maximizing scoring potential.
Olympic Aspirations
A second Olympic gold would elevate Cizeron into an elite group of ice dance legends. Unlike many athletes who retire after Olympic success, his decision to completely reinvent his competitive approach—with a new partner and fresh choreography—while facing established teams demonstrates remarkable courage and ambition.
As Milano Cortina 2026 approaches, their European Championship victory has transformed them from an experimental partnership into legitimate Olympic medal contenders, with their success likely to be determined by the smallest technical margins.
