Olympic ice dance champion Guillaume Cizeron of France has accused former accomplice Gabriella Papadakis of spreading falsehoods about him forward of the Milano Cortina Olympics.
Cizeron, who’s competing on the European Championships this week with new accomplice Laurence Fournier Beaudry, stated he’s the goal of a smear marketing campaign linked to Papadakis’ memoir, So As Not To Disappear, which is ready for launch on Friday.
Papadakis and Cizeron, who teamed up as kids, had been among the many most embellished ice dance groups in historical past, profitable 5 world championship titles and gold on the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
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They stated they had been taking a break in June 2022, and introduced their retirement two years later.
In excerpts revealed by French media, Papadakis described an “unbalanced” relationship, calling Cizeron “controlling” and “demanding,” and stated she typically felt “underneath his grip.”
“Within the face of this smear marketing campaign, I need to categorical my incomprehension and disagreement with the labels attributed to me,” Cizeron stated in an announcement.
Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron on the European Determine Skating Championships in 2024. NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures
“The ebook comprises false data, together with statements I by no means made, which I contemplate severe.”
He added that his attorneys have been instructed to demand an instantaneous halt to what he referred to as defamatory claims.
“For greater than 20 years, I’ve proven deep respect for Gabriella Papadakis,” Cizeron stated.
“Regardless of the gradual erosion of our bond, our relationship was constructed on equal collaboration and marked by success and mutual assist.”
Reuters has contacted Papadakis for remark.
Cizeron teamed up with Fournier Beaudry, who beforehand competed for Canada with Nikolaj Sorensen, final March. Fournier Beaudry acquired her French citizenship in November, paving the best way to Olympic eligibility.
They gained their two grand prix competitions this season, and completed second behind People Madison Chock and Evan Bates on the grand prix closing final month.
They’re anticipated to problem Chock and Bates for gold on the Milano Cortina Olympics, which open on February 7.
The rhythm dance on the European Championships is Saturday, adopted by the free dance on Sunday.
Since her retirement, Papadakis has labored as a broadcaster at determine skating occasions. She can be an enormous proponent of allowing same-sex groups to compete in ice dance.
She and American Madison Hubbell have skated collectively in exhibitions in a bid to assist pave the best way for same-sex pairs to compete formally.
