Madison Chock & Evan Bates Hopes, Fears & Cheers!

[Debbie S]

Happy Birthday, Evan! (I wish he had his Oly medal to celebrate. )

On Ice Perspectives vid of the day: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CaUhpFVsAnf/

 

[vgerdes]

Evan was team captain, so he was the spokesperson being interviewed.

I have gifted the WaPo article, for those who do not subscribe to it

https://wapo.st/3IefDOk

This broke my heart: "I think it’s going to take a while to get over this," Bates said, his voice starting to crack. "And when we do get our medals, I’m not sure that will sufficiently cure the hurt that’s been caused to all the clean athletes who didn’t get their medal moment."

It genuinely sucks for all the athletes in the team event who played by the rules and are being punished right along with those who are suspected of doing otherwise.

 

[Fadeevfanboy]

I don't know why they just didn't have the medal ceremony. We know the Russians won't be stripped of their golds (whether they should be or not, they won't be, it is like 3% chance at best), so they are just delaying the inevitable, and robbing all the athletes of their moment at the time for nothing. It is a total joke. I feel awful for someone like Evan, who has always been a class act, such a long career, and it is probably the only Olympic medal he will wind up ever receiving, as he didn't medal in the individual.

 

[Bigbird]

I don't know why they just didn't have the medal ceremony. We know the Russians won't be stripped of their golds (whether they should be or not, they won't be, it is like 3% chance at best), so they are just delaying the inevitable, and robbing all the athletes of their moment at the time for nothing. It is a total joke. I feel awful for someone like Evan, who has always been a class act, such a long career, and it is probably the only Olympic medal he will wind up ever receiving, as he didn't medal in the individual.

Miracles still do happen. Why accept a silver when gold could be yours. The silly thing is if they simply used Trusova and Sherbakova in the team event, this would not be an issue.

 

[Fadeevfanboy]

Miracles still do happen. Why accept a silver when gold could be yours. The silly thing is if they simply used Trusova and Sherbakova in the team event, this would not be an issue.

I mean the US would have readily and happily accepted the silver at the time. They, and especialy Evan and Madison, have said as much. They would much rather have gotten the silvers at the time, then not have a medal ceremony when the moment has passed, only for a fleeting and almost non existing chance of a gold, which like the silver will never have the same feeling without a medal ceremony at the actual Games.

 

[BlueRidge]

I mean the US would have readily and happily accepted the silver at the time. They, and especialy Evan and Madison, have said as much. They would much rather have gotten the silvers at the time, then not have a medal ceremony when the moment has passed, only for a fleeting and almost non existing chance of a gold, which like the silver will never have the same feeling without a medal ceremony at the actual Games.

Exactly this. Its such a shame and such a terrible decision on the part of the IOC.

And sadly now that its done, there will be no medals until all the legal wrangling is over which is likely to be years.

 

[Sylvia]

Good news today!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1503836094223192066

 

[BittyBug]

 

[vireo]

Can't wait to see what they come up with for next season's programs.

Also, I'm so happy Madi and Evan will be performing in Japan's Stars on Ice this spring. Such a nice opportunity for them.

 

[DORISPULASKI]

Their post Olympic podcast finally dropped.

Unlaced with Chock and Bates: Episode 17: Olympic Recap

Madi and Evan recap their Olympic experience in Beijing.

bleav.com

They will be performing in Stars on Ice Japan as well as SOI US.

They will be performing their FD and their gala program in the shows!

They are very bummed about not getting their silver team medals, but at least they received ba box to put the medal in, if they ever get it

 

[Sylvia]

Pre-Worlds Fan Zone article by @Jayar (March 21):

Chock and Bates Eye Podium, Plan to Continue - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

As Madison Chock and Evan Bates took the ice for the free dance portion of the team competition at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, they realized it was an

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

After the tour is complete, Chock and Bates are hoping to take some time to recharge and to celebrate Chock's 30th birthday in July.
"We just printed off a big schedule and started looking at it and it is a little hectic," Bates admitted. "I mean when you write it down especially and it was really a necessary exercise for us, but we were talking about maybe celebrating a big birthday this summer with somebody, so we were just throwing around ideas. I don't know what we're going to do, but a vacation somewhere for sure, at some point."
Though vacation plans are still in the early stages, Chock and Bates have made their intentions clear about their career.
"We don't feel like we're done," Bates revealed. "We still feel motivated and still feel like there is room for improvement, and we have some ideas for programs we still want to do. I'm not sure how far but we're not stopping quite yet."

 

[DORISPULASKI]

Congratulations to Maddy and Evan for returning to the World's podium after so many years!

 

[DORISPULASKI]

If anyone has a video of their RD at Worlds, I would really like to see it.

 

[dancing_on_ice]

If anyone has a video of their RD at Worlds, I would really like to see it.

This is a geoblocked video, but if you just use the Opera built in VPN, it will be viewable.

https://youtu.be/gclX3VQJFzE

 

[Sylvia]

ICYMI, their April 7th episode - Worlds & [Japan] Stars on Ice!

Unlaced with Chock and Bates

Team USA ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates take you into the world of figure skating as they prepare for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing. Join Madi and Evan on their Olympic journey as they train, compete and balance their lives as a couple on and off the ice. Introducing, Unlaced...

bleav.com

 

[Sarrie]

Olympic Couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates Recreate Their First Date: 'Where Our Love Story Began'

Two months after winning a silver medal with partner and real-life boyfriend Evan Bates in Beijing, Madison Chock tells PEOPLE, 'It's so nice to be able to unwind and enjoy ourselves'

people.com

Cute article on Madi & Evan re-creating their first date. Hope I'm posting correctly, my first time posting a link so give me heads up if I did it wrong.

 

[Sylvia]

Two more podcast episodes since I last posted: https://bleav.com/shows/unlaced-with-chock-and-bates/

APRIL 28, 2022
Episode 20: A New York Minute
Madi and Evan recap their jaunt around the East Coast, including a few days in NYC [MOMA & Met. museums, FS in Harlem gala, Hamilton on Broadway].

APRIL 20, 2022
Episode 19: Disney, Elton John & more!
Madi and Evan share their adventures over the last two weeks since returning to the States and beginning the US Stars on Ice tour.

Chock/Bates Q&A ahead of the Detroit SOI show on Saturday night (May 7):

Figure Skating's Madison Chock and Evan Bates Talk 'Stars on Ice Tour'

Figure skaters Madison Chock and Evan Bates are making a stop at Little Caesars Arena for the May 7 show of the “Stars on Ice Tour.”

www.hourdetroit.com

OK, I'm gonna asked the obvious question after reading this article, when did Madi and Evan get engaged?! I know I've been busy and haven't gotten to read stuff as much on here lately but I can't imagine how I would have missed that news, LOL

@HeatherC, I just Googled and came up with this People article during the Olympics (Feb. 13) that wasn't posted in this thread:

Olympians Madison Chock and Evan Bates Are in Love Off the Ice: They Talk 'Chemistry' and Wedding Plans

"We are so lucky because we have this thing that we share, this ice dance that's our own little corner of the universe," Bates tells PEOPLE of competing with his girlfriend

people.com

As for what's next in their personal lives? The pair — Chock in her third Games, Bates in his fourth — are already leaving Beijing with at least one Olympic medal. They say there's no set date for wedding bells.
And even though Bates hasn't proposed yet, they talk over certain details. Just in case.
"We just like to discuss where we might like to have it," Chock says.
"Yeah," says Bates, "we're like, 'Oh, that's a nice venue, let's do some research there.'"

 

[Sylvia]

Cross-posting from the U.S. Dance news thread :

Olympians Madison Chock and Evan Bates Are Engaged! See the Sweet Photos from Their 'Perfect Day'

Evan Bates popped the question on June 11 (6/11) as the Olympic ice dancers had been dating for six years and skating together for 11

people.com

Madi has been sharing photos & instagram stories from Thailand since early June (Evan attended the ISU Congress as a newly elected member of the Athletes Commission): https://www.instagram.com/chockolate02/

ETA link to Madi's post today: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce3_t_yuSxM/
"Left home with my boyfriend, coming back with my fiancé! "

And Evan's ("Perfect engagement-moon with my FIANCÉ "): https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce4sPNCrMkr/

 

[VGThuy]

They’re absolutely glowing. So happy for them.

 

[Sylvia]

Fan Zone article by @Jayar (June 28):

Chock Wears Diamonds on her Finger, She and Bates Dream of Gold - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Next month will mark 11 years since Madison Chock and Evan Bates announced their intent to compete together as an ice dance team.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

 

[Sylvia]

FSO article by Maura Sullivan Hill (July 29) - season 2 of the Unlaced with Chock & Bates podcast will return this fall :

Chock and Bates prepare for new season of skating and their Unlaced Podcast – Figure Skaters Online

Excerpts:

The role is a four-year term, during which his job is to make sure the athletes’ perspective is heard by the voting members of the ISU as they consider rule and policy changes. Bates said that he takes the role seriously, making sure he was prepared for all the meetings and discussions by reading up on the new proposals and consulting with his fellow ice dancers on their opinions.
“I’ve learned so much from getting to attend the ISU Congress and seeing the sport from a whole different perspective and much more of a bird’s-eye view, incorporating speed skating, short track and long track, synchronized skating and all of the disciplines,” Bates said.
“There are so many important decisions that are made on that side that I think a lot of athletes don’t often know about, or definitely don’t often get a chance to participate in,” he added. “The athlete councils are a relatively new group for the ISU, only around for the last six years. So the incorporation of athletes at the table is really important, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be serving, and it’s definitely a big honor.”

“It was a bit daunting to restart the creative process after the Olympic letdown and huge tour, and lots of friends and other people moving on, retiring from competitive skating,” Bates said. “We showed up back at the rink, and it was a weird reality for a few days to adjust to all of those changes. After a couple days, we were like, oh yeah, this is so fun, we love this. We’re getting to be creative and work with our team, Marie-France [Dubreuil], Sam [Chouinard], Patch [Lauzon] and Romain [Haguenauer]. We remembered again, this is our thing. We really are enjoying it still and definitely still passionate and moving forward.”
Chock echoed her fiancé, saying: “Every day we train, we unlock a little something new that wasn’t there before; that’s a really fun feeling and we’re going to chase that. We really do enjoy learning. I think that’s what makes every day so fun. We’re just curious people and we just want to keep learning. If you’re open to learn, you will learn.”

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Madi and Evan were on David Santee's podcast:

84. Madison Chock and Evan Bates

Madison Chock and Evan Bates are American ice dancers. They are 2022 Olympic team event silver medal

www.spreaker.com

 

[Sylvia]

Tweeted on Oct. 13, 2022: https://twitter.com/KatCornetta/status/1580660272507019264

In Madison Chock and Evan Bates' #SkateAmerica pre-event press conference today, Bates said that their free dance this year is "less character-driven" unlike the last few years. It is based on their love story (they're engaged.) "No one is an alien, a snake or an astronaut."
Madison Chock says that while their rhythm dance has "a twist", they are really working with a strong ballroom style.

Another quote: https://twitter.com/AnythingGOE/status/1580661346932494337

“We were super inspired this summer because we got engaged, we wanted to fuse more of our story into our free dance. The music is from a local Montreal artist, it appealed to us to have a little piece of our new home on the ice.”

 

[Karen-W]

Ugh, it's going to be something gloopy and schmaltzy like their "I Hear a Symphony" exhibition.

 

[overedge]

Ugh, it's going to be something gloopy and schmaltzy like their "I Hear a Symphony" exhibition.

Seeing as how their story has been all over social media, fan sites, etc., do we really need to see it in a program as well?

 

[BlueRidge]

What's this thread again? Hopes, Fears, Cheers and Disses?

I'll wait to see what it is. I like their romantic story, this could be a lovely FD.

 

[Karen-W]

What's this thread again? Hopes, Fears, Cheers and Disses?

I'll wait to see what it is. I like their romantic story, this could be a lovely FD.

Consider my comment a "fear" then. LOL.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

They haven’t done romantic in awhile so I think it could be a good change of pace. Fever from 2019 was sort of romantic but more playful.

 

[overedge]

The "alien and spaceman" program wasn't romantic enough?

 

[canbelto]

I'm not looking forward to a generic romantic program from them. I like their creative, outside-the-box free dances.