What crime was Olympic winner Guillaume Cizeron accused of?

In the glittering world of Olympic ice dancing, Guillaume Cizeron soared to fame with his elegant routines and gold-medal triumphs. But behind the applause, a darker narrative has emerged. His longtime former partner, Gabriella Papadakis, has publicly accused him of controlling, demanding, and critical behavior that she says left her terrified and unbalanced—allegations tied to a chilling threat amid her own trauma. As the skating community grapples with these claims, questions swirl about the true cost of their on-ice success.

Papadakis speaks out

In her raw memoir So as Not to Disappear, Gabriella Papadakis lays bare the shadows of her partnership with Guillaume Cizeron. She describes a dynamic riddled with power imbalances, where his controlling demeanor escalated to the point she feared being alone with him, insisting on a coach’s presence during practices. This revelation has sent ripples through the figure skating world, highlighting the hidden toll of elite competition.

Papadakis ties these allegations to her own deeper trauma, recounting a chilling threat that amplified her terror and emotional unbalance. Amid the glamour of their Olympic victories, she paints Guillaume Cizeron as a figure whose demands eroded her sense of safety, pushing her to retire and seek healing away from the ice. Her words serve as a poignant reminder of the personal costs behind public triumphs.

Guillaume Cizeron has vehemently denied the claims, labeling the book a smear campaign designed to tarnish his reputation. He responded with a cease-and-desist letter, asserting that Papadakis’s narrative distorts their shared history. As the skating community divides, his swift legal move underscores the high stakes of such public reckonings in the sport.

Unveiling the chilling threat

Gabriella Papadakis’s memoir delves deeper into her trauma from two sexual assaults during her teens, confiding in Guillaume Cizeron only to face his alleged discouragement. She claims he threatened to end their partnership if she pressed charges against one assailant, amplifying her fear and silencing her pursuit of justice.

This alleged threat forms part of broader accusations of psychological violence, recognized as a criminal offense in France since 2010. Papadakis portrays Guillaume Cizeron as exerting control that eroded her autonomy, leaving her in a state of constant dread and emotional imbalance within their high-stakes partnership.

The revelations have sparked debates in figure skating circles about accountability, with advocates praising Papadakis’s courage while others question the timing amid Guillaume Cizeron’s new Olympic pursuits. Her story underscores the urgent need for safer environments in elite sports, prioritizing athletes’ well-being over accolades.

Cizeron’s controversial new chapter

Guillaume Cizeron, undeterred by the allegations, teamed up with Canadian skater Laurence Fournier Beaudry after Papadakis‘s retirement. Their partnership culminated in a gold medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, a stunning comeback that reignited debates about his past. Yet, whispers of favoritism marred the victory, as critics pointed to unusually high scores from a French judge despite visible errors in their routine.

The judging scandal erupted when the French duo edged out American favorites Madison Chock and Evan Bates by a slim margin, despite the latter’s flawless performance. Investigations by the International Skating Union dismissed claims of bias, but the uproar highlighted deeper issues in figure skating governance. Guillaume Cizeron’s triumph, while technically impressive, couldn’t escape the shadow of unresolved accusations from his former partner.

Her story frames Guillaume Cizeron’s alleged psychological violence—criminalized in France—as a cautionary tale, urging reforms to protect athletes from hidden harms behind the ice rink’s sparkle.

Accusations turn criminal

In France, psychological violence has been a recognized crime since 2010, encompassing repeated acts that degrade a person’s dignity or mental health, often within relationships of power. Gabriella Papadakis’s claims against Guillaume Cizeron fit this framework, detailing a pattern of control and intimidation that allegedly left her in constant fear, prompting calls for legal scrutiny beyond the rink.

While no formal charges have been filed as of now, advocates argue that Papadakis’s memoir provides grounds for investigation under French law, where such offenses can lead to fines or imprisonment. Guillaume Cizeron’s denials highlight the challenges in proving emotional harm, yet the accusations have fueled discussions on accountability in sports partnerships.

The case echoes broader movements against abuse in athletics, with experts noting how elite environments can mask coercive dynamics. As Guillaume Cizeron basks in his recent Olympic glory, Papadakis’s voice amplifies the need for systemic changes, ensuring athletes aren’t silenced by the pursuit of perfection.

Community demands change

Figure skating enthusiasts and former athletes have rallied behind Gabriella Papadakis, drawing parallels to past scandals like the Tonya Harding affair or more recent MeToo reckonings in sports. Guillaume Cizeron’s case highlights a pattern where power imbalances silence victims, prompting calls for independent oversight to safeguard mental health in competitive arenas.

Popular opinion remains split, with some fans defending Guillaume Cizeron as a dedicated performer whose Olympic success speaks for itself, while others boycott his events, viewing the allegations as emblematic of unchecked toxicity. Analyses from sports psychologists underscore how such dynamics can lead to long-term trauma, echoing studies on elite athlete burnout.

As advocacy groups push for French authorities to investigate, Guillaume Cizeron’s story serves as a catalyst for reform, urging the International Skating Union to implement stricter codes against psychological harm. Papadakis’s bravery may yet redefine accountability, ensuring future partnerships prioritize empathy over excellence at any cost.

Lingering shadows

Guillaume Cizeron’s post-Olympic life has been a whirlwind of endorsements and coaching gigs, but the accusations continue to cast a pall over his achievements. While he maintains his innocence, Papadakis’s detailed accounts have inspired other athletes to share similar stories, exposing a culture of silence in figure skating that demands reform.

Experts in sports psychology point to studies showing how power dynamics in pairs can foster emotional abuse, with long-term effects like anxiety and depression. Guillaume Cizeron’s case exemplifies this, as Papadakis describes a partnership where fear overshadowed their shared successes, prompting calls for mandatory mental health protocols in training.

As the debate rages, French legal analysts speculate on potential charges, noting that psychological violence convictions often hinge on patterns of behavior rather than isolated incidents. Guillaume Cizeron’s denials fuel skepticism, yet Papadakis’s resilience highlights the power of speaking out, potentially paving the way for justice.