Guillaume Cizeron, the celebrated French ice dancer and Olympic gold medalist, issued a public statement Tuesday denying recent allegations made by Gabriella Papadakis, his former ice dancing partner. These accusations appear in a book by Papadakis titled "So as Not to Disappear," scheduled for release later this week.
The former duo had dominated the ice dancing world for years before announcing their split in December 2024. Their collaboration was marked by groundbreaking choreography and technical excellence, which secured them a place as one of the most successful pairs in the history of the sport. Their accomplishments include two Olympic medals from Beijing, namely a gold and a silver, five world titles, and five European championships. In addition, they secured victory in the Grand Prix Final twice during their partnership.
In select excerpts shared with French media, Papadakis characterizes their relationship as uneven and weighed down by Cizeron's controlling and exacting behaviors, stating she felt restrained under his influence after many years.
Cizeron has challenged the timing of the book’s release, which comes just weeks before the start of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on February 6th. He expressed bewilderment and objection to the accusations levied against him, suggesting that the release is strategically detrimental given the sensitive timing.
He further criticized the book’s content for containing inaccuracies, alleging that it attributes to him statements he insists he never made. Cizeron contends that these falsehoods are deliberately damaging to his reputation and has directed his legal team to issue cease-and-desist notices to all involved parties disseminating what he calls defamatory comments.
Beyond the professional controversy, the book also reveals deeply personal experiences from Papadakis’s life. She discusses her emotional struggles during adolescence, incidents of sexual assault, and a personal abortion. Moreover, she describes moments during her partnership with Cizeron where she experienced fear, notably the anxiety of being alone with him.
Reflecting on their tenure together, Cizeron acknowledged that while the connection had weakened over time, he has maintained respect for Papadakis, recognizing her as an equal collaborator and partner both on and off the ice. He highlighted their shared successes and mutual support throughout their extensive history skating together.
Currently, Cizeron competes with Laurence Fournier Beaudry, a former Canadian skater who recently acquired French citizenship, enabling the pair to represent France internationally. The new duo has already achieved notable triumphs, including a victory at the Grand Prix de France in October and taking the title at the Finlandia Trophy. They are considered strong favorites heading into the upcoming Winter Games.