From the Podium to the Sidelines: A Skating Star’s Unexpected Setback
Olympic ice dance champion Gabriella Papadakis has revealed a surprising professional setback, stating she will not be part of NBC’s broadcast team for the upcoming Winter Olympics. The retired French skater attributes the lost commentary role directly to the fallout from revelations in her new memoir and the subsequent reaction from her former skating partner, Guillaume Cizeron.
The Heart of the Dispute
In a candid interview with the French sports daily L’Équipe, Papadakis opened up about the chain of events. The core issue stems from her recently published book, which details her life and career, including her complex partnership with Cizeron. While the specific contents of the revelations remain private, their publication prompted a significant response from Cizeron.
According to Papadakis, it was this response from her ex-partner that ultimately led NBC to reverse its decision to bring her on board as an analyst for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games. The network, it seems, found itself in the middle of a highly publicized personal and professional rift between one of the sport’s most famous modern duos.
A Partnership Forged in Gold
The Papadakis and Cizeron story is legendary in the figure skating world. The pair, who began skating together as children in France, ascended to the top of the sport. They are five-time World Champions, the 2022 Olympic gold medalists in the team event, and the 2022 Olympic silver medalists in ice dance. Their retirement after the 2022 season marked the end of an era, and many fans hoped to see them transition into broadcasting roles where they could share their unparalleled expertise.
This incident highlights the delicate balance networks must strike when hiring former athletes. While their insight is invaluable, entangled personal histories can sometimes create complications for a broadcast seeking neutral, focused commentary.
Looking Ahead
For Papadakis, the situation is undoubtedly disappointing. Moving from athlete to commentator is a common and respected path, offering a way to stay connected to the sport. Losing that opportunity due to off-ice dynamics adds a bitter note to the post-competitive chapter of her career.
The news also leaves NBC without one of the most knowledgeable voices in ice dance as they prepare their coverage for the next Olympics. It remains to be seen how the network will adjust its commentary team and whether this public dispute will affect the legacy of one of figure skating’s most successful partnerships in the eyes of the sport’s followers.
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