The International Skating Union (ISU) proudly announces Evan Bates and Madison Chock, the reigning Ice Dance world champions, as the official Ambassadors for this year’s World Ice Skating Day (WISD).  

Going for Gold: Evan and Madison winning Gold at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2023 in Saitama, Japan © Getty

 Evan Bates and Madison Chock: Champions, Role Models, and Ambassadors

As one of the most decorated and beloved Ice Dance couples in recent history, Evan Bates and Madison Chock are the embodiment of resilience, passion, and the power of partnership. Their skating journey began as young dreamers, dedicating themselves to perfecting their craft, and grew into a remarkable partnership on and off the ice that has won hearts worldwide.

From their first tentative steps on the ice to triumphing at the Olympics and several ISU Championships along the way, Evan and Madison’s story is a testament to the values of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. Throughout their careers, they have consistently used their platform to inspire skaters of all levels to embrace the joy of skating, whether competitively or recreationally.

Evan Bates was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He graduated from Huron High School in 2007 and from the University of Michigan in December 2013 with a degree in Organizational Studies. Madison La'akea Te-Lan Hall Chock was born in Redondo Beach, California, has a rich heritage that includes Hawaiian, Chinese, German, English, Irish, French, and Dutch ancestry.

 First glides: Evan and Madison during their first season together 2011-12 © Getty

Evan and Madison boast an extraordinary track record of achievements, cementing their legacy as one of the most successful Ice Dance duos in history. They struck gold in the team event at the Beijing 2022 Olympics and are the reigning World Champions (2024 and 2023). Adding to their accolades, they claimed the title at the ISU Grand Prix Final in 2023, they are three-time Four Continents champions (2019, 2020, 2023), and have amassed an impressive collection of 20 ISU Grand Prix medals (seven gold, eleven silver, two bronze).

Their dominance extends to the ISU Challenger Series, with 10 medals, and they are five-time U.S. national champions. As three-time Olympians, Evan and Madison proudly represented Team USA at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 Winter Olympics, earning admiration and acclaim on the world stage.

Known for their innovative, fun, and creative performances, Madison often designs their striking costumes, earning them the ISU Skating Award for Best Costume in 2020 and 2023, with another nomination in 2024. Off the ice, their partnership has flourished personally as well—Evan and Madison tied the knot in June 2024, marking a beautiful new chapter in their shared journey.

As WISD 2024 Ambassadors, Evan and Madison aim to bring the magic of skating to communities around the globe. “Ice skating has shaped our lives in so many profound ways,” said Madison. “It’s more than a sport; it’s a celebration of creativity, connection, and joy.” Evan added, “Being named Ambassadors for WISD is a privilege, and we look forward to encouraging everyone, no matter their skill level, to experience the thrill of skating.” The WISD 2024 Ambassadors would like to use this platform to encourage everyone to take up ice skating, motivate the next generation of skaters, and highlight the profound connections and joy that can be found in skating.

Giving back to the sport: from World Champions to WISD Ambassadors 2024 © Getty