The Internet Is Heartbroken for This U.S. Olympic Ice Dancing Pair Whose Fall Dashed Their Medal Hopes
U.S. Olympians Madison Chock and Evan Bates were executing a graceful long program to John Lennon’s “Imagine” at the ice dancing finals on Monday in PyeongChang when they both fell down simultaneously in the midst of their routine, also bringing down their hopes of making it to the Winter Olympics podium this year.
Chock and Bates had been in seventh place after their earlier short dance. Chock was also competing with a foot injury.
The two were in the midst of a spin turning into a lift when one of each of their skates made contact with the other, a rare misstep in the precision sport of ice dancing. That error became an immediate points deduction — and, given the strength of the remaining pool of ice dancers, dashed their dreams of medaling against contenders like Canada’s Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, the French pair of Guillaume Cizeron and Gabriella Papadakis, and fellow Americans Maia and Alex Shibutani.
The internet immediately reacted with an outpouring of sympathy for Chock and Bates, who valiantly continued with their program without further incident — and ended it with an emotional embrace.
Nightmare for Chock/Bates: They completely go down on a combination, both flat on the ice. Horrible moment for them #PyeongChang2018
— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) February 20, 2018
Me when chock and bates fell. So shook pic.twitter.com/KBFO08P8lx
— ceci (@cecipicard) February 20, 2018
The entire arena gasps when Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates fall, then immediately applaud their quick rebound. #PyeongChang2018 #Olympics
— Jacqueline Doorey (@jackydoorey) February 20, 2018
Heart breaking fall for #TeamUSA Chock and Bates in their free dance. Obviously not going to medal, but they got up and skated strong throughout the rest. Hope they come back cause they're a joy to watch ???? #PyeongChang2018
— Jackie Adedokun (@adejax7) February 20, 2018
As heartbreaking as the fall was, Chock/Bates continued with grace. Gotta commend them for fighting on till the end. #figureskating #PyeongChang2018
— Synthia T. (@synthiat) February 20, 2018
My heart is breaking for Chock/Bates ???? Such a beautiful, powerful performance that was ruined with a tiny timing error #PyeongChang2018
— Xandra Phillips (@xandra_phillips) February 20, 2018
Chock and Bates: For me, Olympians who go on after knowing their dream has slipped away are more impressive and inspiring than those who have first place locked down.
— David B (@Weirdadverb) February 20, 2018
Chock/Bates ice dancing routine. Absolutely beautiful and just devastating. I cried for you two. But you’re gold to me! ????? #DancingOnIce #IceDancing #Olympics2018 @chockolate02 @Evan_Bates
— Jessica Silva (@jescapades) February 20, 2018