BOSTON — Madison Chock and Evan Bates, celebrated American ice dancers, have long considered Montreal a second home due to the warmth and welcoming nature of its people. The city has been their training base for several years, and they have forged numerous friendships across Canada, spending equally significant time there as in the United States. Despite recent political tensions and trade disputes between the two countries, the camaraderie they have experienced remains largely unchanged.
However, Chock and Bates have started observing subtle shifts in sentiment. Chock shared an anecdote from a cafe visit where a barista served their coffee, referring to an Americano as a “Canadien,” highlighting a playful nod to the ongoing political narratives.
As the reigning world champions, Chock and Bates are gearing up to defend their title in Boston, where they’ll face a field that includes their close friends and rivals, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier from Canada. This event is anticipated to be an early glimpse of the competition expected at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The key question is whether American spectators will maintain their tradition of global appreciation for all participants or show a heightened level of patriotism.
Evan Bates noted, “America has always had a global influence in politics and culture, yet we’ve never felt it quite so personally until that moment in the cafe.”
Meanwhile, Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, world champions in pairs, are also pondering the reception they might receive. Stellato-Dudek, originally from the Chicago area, became a Canadian citizen three months ago, allowing her to represent Canada at the upcoming Olympics, a plan set in motion well before political climates shifted and American goods faced bans from Canadian shelves.
Having previously competed as third-place finishers at U.S. championships with Nathan Bartholomay, Stellato-Dudek partnered with Deschamps in 2019 after splitting from her previous partner. The decision to represent Canada was partly due to concerns over Deschamps securing American citizenship in time for the Olympics—a requirement under Olympic regulations.
“I take great pride in both my American heritage and my new status as a Canadian citizen,” Stellato-Dudek expressed. “Family from America will be cheering for me here in Boston…sports bridges national divides, and we hope these championships reinforce that unity.”
These dynamics set the stage for an intriguing preview of larger events to come. With the U.S. poised to serve as co-host for next year’s World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the events in Boston this week provide an opportunity to demonstrate how sports can transcend politics.
Reflecting on possible challenges ahead, new IOC President Kirsty Coventry, a Zimbabwean Olympian with ties to Auburn University, emphasized, “Effective communication is essential, especially when navigating complex geopolitical landscapes, as opposed to focusing solely on challenges brought by administrations like Trump’s.”
For the figure skaters set to perform, the goal remains to highlight the inherent power of sport as a force for unity rather than division. Piper Gilles, another contender, emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on their craft rather than external political climates. Her Canadian-American heritage provides her a unique perspective, “We’re taught that sport transcends politics, and that’s how we’ll approach our performances.”
As skaters arrive in Boston, they’re eager to showcase that, in the end, sport’s essence lies in its ability to connect people, transcending any political barriers. The focus remains on delivering performances that reflect pride in their respective countries while cultivating a sense of global sportsmanship.