Fournier Beaudry's Defense of Accused Skater Ignites Fury
In the glittering yet often shadowed world of figure skating, a fresh controversy is unfolding just weeks before the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Laurence Fournier Beaudry, a former Canadian ice dancer who now represents France alongside Olympic champion Guillaume Cizeron, is at the center of heated debate. Her public defense of ex-partner and current boyfriend Nikolaj Sørensen—who faces sexual assault allegations—has been slammed by the accuser as fostering a "dangerous environment" for reporting abuse in the sport.
The Allegations Against Nikolaj Sørensen
The storm began in January 2024 when USA Today reported that an American figure skating coach and former skater accused Sørensen, a Canadian-Danish competitor, of sexually assaulting her in Hartford, Connecticut, back in 2012. Sørensen, who has denied the claims—stating they have not been tested in court—faced severe repercussions from the sport's governing bodies.
In October 2024, the now-defunct Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) issued a six-year ban against Sørensen for sexual maltreatment. Though the ban was later overturned on jurisdictional grounds, it remains under appeal, keeping the issue alive in skating circles. The accuser, speaking anonymously to maintain her privacy, has emphasized that such high-profile defenses only deepen the culture of silence that has long plagued figure skating.
Fournier Beaudry's Personal Ties to the Case
Fournier Beaudry's connection to Sørensen runs deep. The two were skating partners before she switched allegiances to team up with Cizeron in 2025, following her acquisition of French citizenship in November of that year. As Sørensen's girlfriend, Fournier Beaudry has been vocal in his support, most notably in the Netflix docuseries Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing. There, she stated unequivocally, "I know my boyfriend 100 per cent. I know him."
These words, amplified by her status as part of a gold-medal-contending duo, carry significant weight. The accuser, in a statement to The Canadian Press, argued that such public endorsements from reigning Olympic champions like Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry undermine survivors' credibility and deter others from coming forward. "The comments... create a dangerous environment for skaters who need to report abuse," she said, highlighting how they "further enforce the culture of silence in figure skating."
The New French Powerhouse: Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron
Despite the off-ice drama, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron are laser-focused on the ice. The pair made waves at the Olympic team event rhythm dance in Milan, positioning themselves as frontrunners for gold in the ice dance competition. Cizeron, the 2022 Olympic champion with ex-partner Gabriella Papadakis, brings a pedigree of excellence to the partnership.
However, their union hasn't been without its own controversies. In a recent mixed-zone interview after their Milan performance, Fournier Beaudry brushed off questions about the Sørensen allegations, saying, "We said everything we needed to say about that subject. We're focusing on the Olympics and what's coming." When pressed further, Cizeron intervened sharply: "Is there another question?" before media handlers ushered them away.
Echoes of Past Scandals in Skating
This isn't the first time Cizeron has been embroiled in public spats. Just last month, he labeled Papadakis's tell-all book So as Not to Disappear a "smear campaign." In it, Papadakis portrayed Cizeron as controlling and critical, revealing she insisted on a coach's presence during practices to feel safe. The fallout reportedly cost Papadakis her NBC Olympic commentary gig, underscoring the personal toll of speaking out in this tight-knit sport.
Adding fuel to the fire, former U.S. skater and media personality Adam Rippon commented on the Netflix series about the Fournier Beaudry-Cizeron duo, describing a "sinister energy around the partnership." Such remarks amplify concerns about power dynamics and accountability in elite figure skating, where athletes often navigate intense relationships under the spotlight.
Broader Implications for Figure Skating and the Olympics
As the Milano-Cortina Games approach, this saga raises pressing questions about the health of figure skating. The sport, celebrated for its artistry and athleticism, has a history of abuse allegations—from coaching misconduct to athlete-on-athlete harassment—that SafeSport and international federations are still grappling with. The accuser's statement points to a systemic issue: when top athletes use their platforms to defend the accused, it can intimidate victims and perpetuate a code of silence.
Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron have reiterated their commitment to positivity on the ice. "Since the start, a year ago, we've been very focused on having a lot of fun on the ice and bringing as much gratefulness as we can to our skating," Cizeron said. Yet, with the Olympics mere weeks away, the duo's off-ice narrative risks overshadowing their performances, potentially portraying them as villains in the eyes of fans and survivors alike.
Advocates for change in figure skating, including organizations like the #SkateSafe movement, are calling for stronger protections and education on consent and reporting. As one expert noted, "High-profile defenses like this don't just affect one case—they shape the entire environment for young athletes dreaming of Olympic glory."
The International Skating Union (ISU) has yet to comment directly on the renewed attention to the Sørensen case, but with appeals pending and the global stage set, all eyes will be on how this unfolds. For Fournier Beaudry, once a promising Canadian talent, her journey from Toronto rinks to French Olympic hopeful is now intertwined with a much larger conversation about justice, silence, and survival in sport.
Whether this controversy derails their medal hopes or galvanizes reform remains to be seen. What is clear is that figure skating's path to the future must address these shadows to truly shine.
