The figure skating partnership of Madison Chock and Evan Bates extends far beyond the ice rink: they are also husband and wife. After securing a silver medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, the pair shared insights into their unique dynamic, where personal connection fuels their athletic performance.
The Power of Mutual Support
According to Bates, their strategy during competition is simple: “We said we love each other, and it’s just us out there.” Their decade-long relationship, culminating in marriage two years ago, allows them to create an insular world during performances, shutting out distractions. This intense focus is a deliberate choice, Bates explains: “That’s always the intention—to kind of just make our own world and let the rest disappear.”
Despite narrowly missing gold, both skaters expressed gratitude for the experience. Chock emphasized Bates’s composure under pressure: “How incredibly strong and smart Evan is… How capable he is of just bringing his best self in very high pressure situations.” Bates reciprocated, praising Chock’s “calm poise,” acknowledging her ability to steady him when stress mounts.
Managing Olympic Stress and Recovery
The Olympic schedule demanded peak performance over six days, a grueling pace atypical for most competitions. To cope, Chock and Bates prioritized both physical and mental recovery. Their regimen included physiotherapy, Normatec compression therapy, red light therapy, and intentional mental resets between events: “We had regular treatments… and just mentally had resets after each event—closed the day, and then opened a new day each day.”
Looking Ahead: Relaxation and Romance
With the competition behind them, the duo anticipates downtime, specifically “A spa day. Massages,” as Chock put it. Despite not being traditional Valentine’s Day celebrators due to past competition schedules, they plan to enjoy the holiday while in Italy. Bates summarized their approach: “We’ll find something romantic to do… It’s Italy, after all.”
The success of Chock and Bates highlights the advantages of integrating personal and professional partnerships in elite athletics. The trust, support, and shared experiences they draw from their marriage create a unique synergy on the ice.
