ISU defends Olympic ice dance scoring after French judge's margin swings gold to French team over US - AP News
AP News
February 14, 2026
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The International Skating Union (ISU) has defended its scoring system in the face of criticism following a controversial Olympic ice dance decision. A French judge's margin awarded gold to the French team over the US pair, sparking debates about bias and fairness in judging. The ISU emphasized that all scores were evaluated according to established criteria, with no evidence of impropriety.
The competition saw the U.S. team receive high component scores but lower technical element rankings compared to their French rivals. While most judges aligned with the majority decision, one judge significantly favored the French pair, leading to a narrow victory. This discrepancy has raised questions about the objectivity of human judging in sports, particularly when it comes to subjective assessments.
The ISU maintains that its system is designed to ensure fairness and consistency across all competitions. However, critics argue that the close margin highlights inherent biases in scoring systems, especially in figure skating where interpretations can influence outcomes. This controversy reflects broader concerns about the integrity of judging processes in international sports events.
Ultimately, this situation underscores the delicate balance between adhering to established rules and addressing the inevitable subjectivity in human evaluations. The outcome has sparked a wider conversation about how to ensure fair and transparent judging in global competitions, resonating with athletes, fans, and officials alike who seek clarity and justice in体育 achievements.
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Originally published on AP News on 2/14/2026