Olympic Skaters Show How Love Wins Under Pressure

Just before their final Olympic skate in Milan, Team USA ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates exchanged three simple words: "We love each other, and it's just us out there."

That mindset carried the married couple through one of their most challenging Olympic runs yet. They performed four times in just six days during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, an unusually packed schedule that tested both their physical endurance and mental strength.

The duo, who have been married for two years and partners on the ice for over a decade, won silver in ice dance and helped Team USA secure back-to-back team gold medals. Their performance showcased the unique advantage of having your life partner also be your competitive partner.

"The intention is to kind of just make our own world and let the rest disappear," Bates explained the day after their final skate. When you've been skating together for more than ten years and building a life together, that connection becomes your greatest strength.

Chock credits her husband's steadiness for getting them through the pressure-filled week. "How incredibly strong and smart Evan is. How capable he is of just bringing his best self in very high pressure situations," she said, calling him "a rock" she can trust with her fears and dreams.

Bates was quick to return the praise. "When the pressure's on, Madi finds a calm poise that is so admirable," he said, admitting he's not always as composed as he appears and relies on her to calm him down in stressful moments.

Why This Inspires

Between their packed competition schedule, the couple prioritized recovery with their physical therapist, compression therapy, and red light treatment. But their mental reset routine mattered just as much: closing each day completely before opening a new one.

Their approach shows that even at the highest levels of competition, success isn't just about individual talent. It's about finding someone who brings out your best when it matters most and building a partnership strong enough to weather any storm.

Now that competition is over, they're planning something much simpler: a spa day back home in Montreal. But first, they'll celebrate Valentine's Day together for the first time in years since they're usually competing during the holiday.

"We'll find something romantic to do," Chock said with a smile. "It's Italy, after all."