SKATING: Chock, Bates go 'all in' for Olympic gold as Milano-Cortina could be last Games

Three-time world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates are going all out for Olympic gold at the Milano-Cortina Games, embracing the pressure and the possibility that the 2026 Winter Olympics could be their final appearance on the sport’s biggest stage.

The married American ice dance pair are among the most decorated teams of their generation but have never won Olympic gold in their discipline. Their mindset is clear: aim for the top of the podium.

“We’re certainly all in,” Chock told reporters on Tuesday. “We’re entering each competition with the intention to win. We have a lot of experience under our belts and are 100% confident in our capabilities to deliver our best performances.”

Bates said they handle the pressure of high expectations by sticking to their process, trusting their coaches, and keeping their routines consistent. He added that this Olympics, their fourth, carries added meaning because it “could be our last.”

“The older we get, the more appreciation we have for the opportunity and realizing how special it really is,” he said. “So like Maddie said, we are 100% all in and aiming for the top of the podium in Milan, while also aiming to fully experience and enjoy it.”

Paint It Gold

Their Olympic free dance is built around a rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” a choice that emerged after a wide search for the perfect music.

Chock said the music immediately stirred up emotion in the pair and became even more compelling once tested on the ice.

“When we put this one on the ice, we got, like, the good chills,” she said. “It was really powerful and filled up the arena. That’s how we knew this was the piece for us.”

Bates said the program pushes them in a new direction, part of a strategy he credited for their longevity.

“We knew it would be challenging for us,” he said, describing the routine as different from their previous free dances and highlighting their willingness to take creative risks.

Asked whether they would once again be clad in all black for the routine, Chock said yes—but hinted at a glittering accent.

“Oh, we’ll always be painting it black,” she said. “We might even paint it a little gold,” she added with a grin.

Chock and Bates will look to capture a record seventh U.S. ice dance title when the U.S. Championships kick off Sunday in St. Louis.

-Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Neil Fullick/Reuters