For many viewers, Olympic figure skating represents the beauty of winter sports. Skaters perform complex jumps and detailed choreography while competing on one of the biggest stages in athletics. However, behind the graceful and exciting performances is a sport that has long faced controversy. Questions about judging fairness, scoring complexity and intense pressure placed on athletes continue to shape the Olympic skating culture.
These debates have become especially prominent through the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan as fans, athletes and commentators are once again discussing whether the sport’s scoring system truly reflects the best performances on the ice.
Figure skating uses the International Judging System to score competitions. Judges evaluate both the technical difficulty and artistic quality of a program. Each jump, spin and step sequence has a base value, and judges can either add or subtract points using the Grade of Execution (GOE). Skaters also receive Program Component Scores (PCS), which measure aspects such as skating skills, choreography and interpretation. While the system was created to make scoring more transparent, many fans believe it has become extremely complicated. Understanding how scores are calculated can be difficult even for experienced viewers.
“The extreme complexity of the scoring system makes following the sport challenging, even if I have a play by play explanation,” junior Harrison Albin said. “Furthermore, the PCS and GOE allow for subjectivity which allows for nationalistic bias. I also think that men and women should not have such different multipliers. The system should be rewritten for more objective scoring and require transparency.”
Concerns about judging are not new in Olympic skating. Even small differences in scores can decide who wins a medal. As programs become more technically difficult, the stakes continue to increase. In recent years, the number of quadruple jumps performed in the competition has increased, pushing athletes to attempt elements that were once considered impossible. These debates continue to persist in the Milan Olympics.
One notable judging controversy occurred during the pairs skating event when Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guilaume Cizeron of the French team won gold over the American team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates by less than two points. Critics pointed to the unusually large score given by a French judge and argued that the margin seemed inconsistent with perceived errors in the French performance compared to the American pair’s clean routine. The noticeably close and questionable result quickly sparked debate among fans about judging bias and scoring transparency in Olympic skating.
Judging is only one part of the larger culture surrounding the sport. Figure skating also requires a high level of physical and mental endurance. Many athletes begin training when they are very young and spend years practicing difficult jumps and routines that must be performed perfectly during competitions.
American skater Ilia Malinin represents this pressure clearly. Known for his extremely difficult jumps, Malinin has quickly become one of the most talked about athletes heading into the 2026 Olympics. His programs often include multiple quadruple jumps including the quadruple axel, one of the most challenging jumps in the sport. Because of his technical ability, expectations surrounding his performances are extremely high.
“A lot of people were attacking him online about how he got a bad score and how everyone had really high expectations for him,” sophomore Maya Shamash said. “I feel that it wasn’t fair because with the competition comes lots of pressure, and people forget that even the best skaters can make mistakes when they’re performing on such a big stage.”
For skaters competing at this level, the pressure of the Olympics can become overwhelming. A single mistake such as a fall or an under-rotated jump can significantly affect final placements. Since competitions are often decided by only a few points, athletes must take risks while still performing consistently.
Another topic that has recently gained attention in skating is athlete welfare. The demanding training culture of the sport has led some former skaters and commentators to speak about the physical and mental challenges that athletes face. Elite skaters often train for several hours a day while also having to balance school, travel and competition schedules.
In response to these concerns, the International Skating Union has introduced new rules, including raising the minimum age for senior-level international competition. Supporters believe the rule will give athletes more time to develop before competing at the highest level, while others question whether the change will significantly alter the intense environment that already exists in competitive skating.
“The amount of training figure skaters go through is so intense,” junior Elena Zhuang said. “They spend most of their time practicing and traveling for competitions, so it’s probably really difficult to balance health and expectations placed on them.”
Despite the controversies, Olympic figure skating continues to draw global attention. The sport stands out because it combines elements of athletic skill with artistic performance. A program lasts only a few minutes, but it represents years of training and can have a worldwide impact.
Figure skating is one of the most watched events of the Winter Games, and spectators tune in to watch difficult jumps, artistic choreography and athletes competing for Olympic medals. At the same time, conversations about scoring transparency, competitive pressure and athlete wellbeing will likely continue to persist. These issues have become part of the sport’s culture, and they will shape how Olympic skating evolves in the future.
