The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said that it is not possible to step twice into the same river. Those words ring true for three-time World champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, especially when referring to being part of the Olympic Winter Games.
 
The duo earned a fourth consecutive berth at the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, becoming the first American ice dance team to do so. Bates, who competed with his previous partner (Emily Samuelson) at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, is one of seven athletes from Team USA who will make Milano-Cortina their fifth.

 
"I think each Olympics feels different," Bates said "It's different each time because we're at a different point in our careers, and I think now it's been eight years we've been in Montreal, and especially over the last four years, it feels like we've reached a new level in our careers. We're so grateful and happy for the work that's been done and the accomplishments we've had, and I think now Milan is the celebration of all."
 
With four appearances, Chock joins the likes of legendary speed skater Bonnie Blair, while Bates, with five, is in the company of swimming greats Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky.

"Any time your name is mentioned alongside athletes like that, it's honestly humbling more than anything else. What those names represent to me is not just medals, but longevity, adaptability and a willingness to keep evolving," Bates said. "To still feel curious and motivated after this many years is something I'm proud of. I don't think about "cementing" anything — I think about how lucky I've been to keep doing something I love at the highest level for so long."
 
Four years ago, Chock and Bates headed to Beijing with hopes of achieving a lifelong dream of standing on the Olympic podium. A second-place finish in the team event should have made that become a reality, but the medal ceremony was postponed while the investigation surrounding Team Russia would conclude — some two years later. A fourth-place finish in the individual event meant that Chock and Bates left China without that hard-fought experience yet again.
 
When the duo came back for the 2022-23 season, it was assumed that it would be their swan song — a chance for Chock and Bates to capture a World title before skating off into the sunset. But as luck would have it, winning that title in Saitama, Japan, perhaps fueled Chock and Bates' commitment to continuing in the sport indefinitely.
 
"We just love the sport. Skating is so special to us, and we can't imagine our lives without it," Bates said. "Going to the rink every day is not just second nature; it feels like home. We haven't needed much in the way of extra motivation to keep going."
 
While other ice dance teams seek out a particular style that they can make their own, Chock and Bates have made a career out of tackling themes that challenge the seven-time U.S. champs to infuse themselves into the style. From their legendary Egyptian snake dance in 2021 to their conceptual Dali-inspired Pink Floyd free dance in 2024, Chock and Bates have committed to experimenting with something new as one of their top goals each season.
 
"Our favorite free dance is definitely the snake dance because it was the beginning of finding our creative identity," Chock said. "We also fondly remember our Sunscreen gala program which was choreographed by the legendary Christopher Dean. It was a big departure for us and one of our most challenging gala programs."
 
That commitment to pushing their own limits is inspiring the future generation of ice dance royalty. Reigning U.S. silver medalists Emilea Zingas and Vadim Kolesnik see Chock and Bates as motivation for their own skating as they make their way up the competitive ranks.
 
"Madison uses her body from her head to her toes to her fingertips magnificently," Zingas said. "One of their programs that I love so much is their Rachmaninov program from 2016. It was so dynamic and fast, and their lifts were amazing. It is one that I've watched many times."
 
Kolesnik added, "They are so athletic—their lifts are amazing, and when you look at them, there's no other team that even tries to do the same kind of ideas for their program as they do."
 
Coach Patrice Lauzon, who calls himself a big Chock and Bates fan, listed just about every program of theirs as a favorite, but even more so, he shared that he is a fan of them as people.

"We've been together now eight years, and it is more than just moments at competitions or practices," he said. "We have the fun moments at the rink and moments that are a bit more difficult, but that is part of training. Not everything is bright and shiny every day, but it is how they respond to those moments and how they prepare each day that is one of the things that I admire about them."
 
Chock has also made a name for herself as a costume designer, bringing her ideas to life in her and Bates' on-ice fashion over the past several years.
 
"My favorite design is the Alien and the Astronaut (2021) costumes, which we've now donated to the Smithsonian. I'm so honored to have my designs there," Chock said. "Designing the costumes is my favorite part of the creative process, and I look forward to continuing in that endeavor. Evan's favorite costume was Fire and Air [2023] because there were no rhinestones on it — they hurt his skin, and the screen printing was something new that we hadn't done before."
 
In terms of what has been the biggest highlights of their career thus far, they both agreed that realizing the Olympic dream was at the top of the list.
 
"Team Event gold in Beijing," Bates said. "And winning Worlds at home in Boston last year."
 
As they look beyond this Olympic season, Chock, who is now 33 years old, and 36-year-old Bates, are beginning to look at what might be after they turn the page on their competitive skating career. No matter what they decide, both heartily agree that they would like to stay involved with the sport in one way or another.
 
"We'd like to pass on the knowledge we've gained through our experiences," Chock said. "I would love to explore the fashion world more and just see what is out there. We're not sure what the next chapter will look like, but we are excited for whatever it will be."

For the full competition schedule, television schedule, bios, news and more, visit the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Competition Central.