Two Olympic ice dancing champions, Frenchwoman Gabriella Papadakis and American Madison Hubbell, announced on Saturday their intention to form a couple during a skating gala in February, a first aimed at “breaking gender stereotypes”.
The two skaters, respectively five-time world champion and Olympic champion for Papadakis and Olympic team champion for Hubbell, will perform together at the Art on Ice gala, scheduled in several cities in Switzerland in February 2025, according to a press release released on Saturday.
This “world first” aims to “show that our sport can be more inclusive, more modern and more courageous”, explained Papadakis, who announced in early December that he was ending his career with his partner Guillaume Cizeron. “We also want to break with certain stereotypes around expectations towards women in sport: to always be feminine, frail, even fragile,” she added.
“With this project, we dream of a future where everyone can find their place on the ice, regardless of their vision or identity,” added Hubbell.
The show will focus on “the inner journey of every human being”, according to its producer Oliver Höner, who says he hopes it triggers “a small revolution in the world of figure skating”.