Chock & Bates [fan thread #2]: "All Paths Have Led to This Moment"

[Sylvia]

Maria Taylor had a lovely chat with Madi, Evan & their moms at the end of NBC's Feb. 12th "Olympic Late Night" show (not sure if it can be replayed on Peacock afterwards?).

ETA: Go to Peacock's Olympic Essentials / Watch By Day Hub - Late Night replays are available to replay for 1 day.

 

[CassAgain]

I hope with time the bitterness will fade, and they will focus on their amazing leadership (even if they were not the official captain) of the team event. The fact that they have this much support, respect, and love from their teammates and competitors is such a testament to their career and character. As someone who has not always been the biggest fan of their skating, I adore them as people and will always think of them as the heroes of the 2022 and 2026 gold medal teams.

 

[Sylvia]

Maria Taylor had a lovely chat with Madi, Evan & their moms at the end of NBC's Feb. 12th "Olympic Late Night" show

Clip from the end:

NBC Olympics & Paralympics on Instagram: "Maria Taylor learns some new moves from Madison Chock. 🤩"

3,419 likes, 13 comments - nbcolympics on February 15, 2026: "Maria Taylor learns some new moves from Madison Chock. 🤩".

www.instagram.com

:

Xfinity on Instagram: "Yesterday’s forecast called for a light misting with a 100% chance of taking home the gold and silver."

16K likes, 65 comments - xfinity on February 14, 2026: "Yesterday’s forecast called for a light misting with a 100% chance of taking home the gold and silver.".

www.instagram.com

Women’s Health article:

Inside Madison Chock and Evan Bates’ Most Emotional Olympics Yet (and Their Biggest Takeaway)

“That's always the intention—to kind of just make our own world and let the rest disappear.”

www.womenshealthmag.com

Women's Health on Instagram: "Olympic figure skaters @madisonchock and @evan_bates are not traditionally big Valentine's Day people, but they might have to make an exception while in Milan 💕 Link in bio for more with the three-time Olympic medalists

901 likes, 5 comments - womenshealthmag on February 14, 2026: "Olympic figure skaters @madisonchock and @evan_bates are not traditionally big Valentine's Day people, but they might have to make an exception while in Milan 💕 Link in bio for more with the three-time Olympic medalists.".

www.instagram.com

With Elmo:

Sesame Street on Instagram: "Ciao, Rocco! We are SO glad you made it to Milan just in time to meet up with our friends Madison Chock and Evan Bates! 🪨⛸️ ❄️🇮🇹 #WinterOlympics"

78K likes, 515 comments - sesamestreet on February 14, 2026: "Ciao, Rocco! We are SO glad you made it to Milan just in time to meet up with our friends Madison Chock and Evan Bates! 🪨⛸️ ❄️🇮🇹 #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

Elmo on Instagram: "Thank you to Ms. Madison Chock and Mr. Evan Bates for reminding Elmo that teamwork makes the dream work! ⛸️❤️ Elmo asked a lot of questions, and you both gave a lot of great answers! Elmo needs a nap now 😴 #WinterOlympics"

15K likes, 98 comments - elmo on February 14, 2026: "Thank you to Ms. Madison Chock and Mr. Evan Bates for reminding Elmo that teamwork makes the dream work! ⛸️❤️ Elmo asked a lot of questions, and you both gave a lot of great answers! Elmo needs a nap now 😴 #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

Elmo on Instagram: "Ciao everybody! Elmo has made SO many new friends in Milan already! 🇮🇹⛸️❄️ Thank you to Ms. Madison Chock and Mr. Evan Bates for spending time with Elmo! ❤️ Elmo loves you! ❤️ #WinterOlympics"

17K likes, 55 comments - elmo on February 14, 2026: "Ciao everybody! Elmo has made SO many new friends in Milan already! 🇮🇹⛸️❄️ Thank you to Ms. Madison Chock and Mr. Evan Bates for spending time with Elmo! ❤️ Elmo loves you! ❤️ #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

As well as Cookie Monster & Grover:

Sesame Street on Instagram: "Our favorite fuzzy and blue correspondents checked in with Madison Chock and Evan Bates to ask some hard-hitting questions! 👀💙⛸️ #winterolympics"

5,314 likes, 36 comments - sesamestreet on February 15, 2026: "Our favorite fuzzy and blue correspondents checked in with Madison Chock and Evan Bates to ask some hard-hitting questions! 👀💙⛸️ #winterolympics".

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

Maria Taylor had a lovely chat with Madi, Evan & their moms at the end of NBC's Feb. 12th "Olympic Late Night" show

Just saw that NBC Sports has uploaded the full 7+ minute segment to YT : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1UKutDIzkA

ETA:

The Frozen Waters podcast series premiered on Feb. 4, 2026 with Olympic swimmers Katie Hoff & Missy Franklin who both attended Nationals in St. Louis and recorded this series of episodes there - Madi/Evan's episode was uploaded on Feb. 10th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ECPO-yN3rI&t=96s

 

[Lanie]

On Instagram there is a new video - Evan is going to be carrying the flag in the Closing Ceremonies! (@todayshow says 'a' flag?)

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[ice coverage]

Congratulations to Evan!

ETA:​

Lots of edits to my post.​

NBC Today show interviewed closing ceremony flagbearers Evan Bates and Hilary Knight in 9 o'clock hour today:​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4qpG5mzfJ0 (4:22, Feb 20)​

A different Instagram video from USFS has a better angle showing that all (or almost all) U.S. figure skaters (some sitting off ice) were present for Madison's announcement that Evan will be flagbearer.​

U.S. Figure Skating on Instagram: "@evan_bates: 5x Olympian, 2x Olympic 🥇 medalist and YOUR 2026 U.S. OLYMPIC CLOSING CEREMONY FLAGBEARER 🇺🇸🙌 #WinterOlympics"

6,676 likes, 32 comments - usfigureskating on February 20, 2026: "@evan_bates: 5x Olympian, 2x Olympic 🥇 medalist and YOUR 2026 U.S. OLYMPIC CLOSING CEREMONY FLAGBEARER 🇺🇸🙌 #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

Excerpts from USOPC press release:​

The 2026 Olympic champions, Knight and Bates were chosen by a vote of fellow Team USA athletes through a process led by the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, which serves as the representative group and voice of Team USA athletes. They are the first winter duo to share the honor of leading the delegation into the Closing Ceremony, which serves as the official close to the Olympic Winter Games.​

... [Bates] now sits tied for sixth in men’s all-time Olympic Winter Games medals. He becomes the first U.S. figure skater to carry the flag into an Olympic Opening or Closing Ceremony since Scott Hamilton in 1980, also joining Tim Wood who held the closing honor in 1968.​

“I’m deeply grateful to be selected as flag bearer and to represent both the United States and the sport of figure skating in this way,” said Bates. “To share this honor with Hilary makes it even more meaningful. My experience at the Milano Cortina Games has truly been incredible in so many ways, and I’m filled with appreciation for everyone who helped make it possible.”​

Hilary Knight and Evan Bates Selected as Team USA’s Closing Ceremony Flag Bearers

The 2026 Olympic champions, Knight and Bates were chosen by a vote of fellow Team USA athletes to represent Team USA

www.usopc.org

Official list of flagbearers for closing ceremony:​

https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/all-flagbearers-named-for-milano-cortina-2026-closing-ceremony

 

[DORISPULASKI]

Madison and Vera Wang discuss skating fashion! 25 minutes and well worth the time to watch.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

m.youtube.com

 

[Sylvia]

Evan carrying the American flag in the closing ceremony (3 photos):

Polo Ralph Lauren on Instagram: "#RLxTeamUSA athletes carry the flag for #TeamUSA. Five-time Olympians Hilary Knight and Evan Bates enter the historic Verona Arena, wearing a specially designed Closing Ceremony flagbearer jacket as we celebrate the

4,133 likes, 12 comments - poloralphlauren on February 22, 2026: "#RLxTeamUSA athletes carry the flag for #TeamUSA. Five-time Olympians Hilary Knight and Evan Bates enter the historic Verona Arena, wearing a specially designed Closing Ceremony flagbearer jacket as we celebrate the end of the...

www.instagram.com

Madi's 9 photos & 2 clips from the closing ceremony:

Madison Chock on Instagram: "What a night 🤩 #ClosingCeremony"

21K likes, 132 comments - madisonchock on February 22, 2026: "What a night 🤩 #ClosingCeremony".

www.instagram.com

3 YouTube shorts with Tom Daley in Milan (paid partnership with YT & NBC Sports):
Being gifted cute "medal cozies": https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nS_pC_ACtKU
Sharing a message with each other: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0ChrF5SH5K0
Life outside the rink: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oYqmB8gg7BE

 

[Sylvia]

“Thank you for the honor of a lifetime”:

Evan Bates on Instagram: "Thank you for the honor of a lifetime 🇺🇸 @teamusa"

13K likes, 122 comments - evan_bates on February 23, 2026: "Thank you for the honor of a lifetime 🇺🇸 @teamusa".

www.instagram.com

ETA - and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Evan today! (Feb. 23)

Madison Chock on Instagram: "Wishing the happiest birthday to my handsome husband! You continue to inspire those around you with your dedication, humility and curiosity. It is my greatest joy to see you flourish, I know this is still just the beginni

21K likes, 313 comments - madisonchock on February 23, 2026: "Wishing the happiest birthday to my handsome husband! You continue to inspire those around you with your dedication, humility and curiosity. It is my greatest joy to see you flourish, I know this is still just the beginning of where...

www.instagram.com

 

[Taso]

I just need to love on Madi & Evan for a minute. I had not seen "Once I Was Loved" prior to the Olympic gala, and wow they brought me some serious waterworks . Just epically beautiful. My favorite FD of the last 10 seasons is still their Alien program, so they'd made it onto my skating pantheon, but that gala just has these echoes of amazing gala skating from 30-40+ years ago that I haven't seen in so long that reminded me why they were there.

To be clear, it totally stands on its own as a program. I love the hints of Torvill & Dean's 'Encounter' with the musicality and emotional tone maintained and their 'Still Crazy After All These Years' (perhaps more the sentiment than anything). Of Valova & Vassiliev's 'Zvezda i Smert' and 'Madama Butterfly' with the scarf work. And of course Klimova & Ponomarenko's scarf work with Tchaikovsky No. 5.

Whew! My poor eyes! for you Madi & Evan

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I just need to love on Madi & Evan for a minute. I had not seen "Once I Was Loved" prior to the Olympic gala, and wow they brought me some serious waterworks . Just epically beautiful. My favorite FD of the last 10 seasons is still their Alien program, so they'd made it onto my skating pantheon, but that gala just has these echoes of amazing gala skating from 30-40+ years ago that I haven't seen in so long that reminded me why they were there.

To be clear, it totally stands on its own as a program. I love the hints of Torvill & Dean's 'Encounter' with the musicality and emotional tone maintained and their 'Still Crazy After All These Years' (perhaps more the sentiment than anything). Of Valova & Vassiliev's 'Zvezda i Smert' and 'Madama Butterfly' with the scarf work. And of course Klimova & Ponomarenko's scarf work with Tchaikovsky No. 5.

Whew! My poor eyes! for you Madi & Evan

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I had to listen to a 15 minute rant from my mom on how she’s so tired of the “sheet program.” I’ve had to hear this rant every time they’ve skated it for the past year, so I beg of them to please have something new for SOI lol. And to be clear, she is a huge fan of theirs!

 

[Taso]

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I had to listen to a 15 minute rant from my mom on how she’s so tired of the “sheet program.” I’ve had to hear this rant every time they’ve skated it for the past year, so I beg of them to please have something new for SOI lol. And to be clear, she is a huge fan of theirs!

I totally didnt expect this at all, haha.

Honestly working the prop well takes a lot of practice, and once you get it I see why you would keep working with it.

Who knows what may come next?

 

[DORISPULASKI]

They have been very good with props in dance.

Does anyone remember sunglasses in wear sunscreen?

Not to mention the tango with a chair?

The sheet has to be easier to pack than the chair!

 

[tony]

I totally didnt expect this at all, haha.

Honestly working the prop well takes a lot of practice, and once you get it I see why you would keep working with it.

Who knows what may come next?

They've had this program for two full seasons at least, and loved loved loved when I saw it at Skate America last year.

https://imgur.com/a/jcDQoV6

Limited to 3 minutes and it was optimized originally to show on Instagram, but here's my vid

 

[TanithandBenFan]

They have been very good with props in dance.

Does anyone remember sunglasses in wear sunscreen?

Not to mention the tango with a chair?

The sheet has to be easier to pack than the chair!

Their sunglasses program was one of my favorites! I'd love to see them do a quirky program again. After two years of the sheet we need a change in mood lol.

 

[Taso]

They've had this program for two full seasons at least, and loved loved loved when I saw it at Skate America last year.

https://imgur.com/a/jcDQoV6

Limited to 3 minutes and it was optimized originally to show on Instagram, but here's my vid

Thank you Tony! Beautiful to see it from another angle.

I feel so funny that I had never seen this program before now. Jeez, Ι really love this so much.

 

[mtnskater]

I just need to love on Madi & Evan for a minute. I had not seen "Once I Was Loved" prior to the Olympic gala, and wow they brought me some serious waterworks . Just epically beautiful. My favorite FD of the last 10 seasons is still their Alien program, so they'd made it onto my skating pantheon, but that gala just has these echoes of amazing gala skating from 30-40+ years ago that I haven't seen in so long that reminded me why they were there.

To be clear, it totally stands on its own as a program.

Could not have said it better @Taso. That program makes me sob cry every time I see it. The music is gorgeous and moving. It evokes something we may all eventually feel deeply if we live long enough. One of my all time favorite exhibition programs. I’m one who is not tired of it after two years. But I hope they don’t do at SOI because I don’t want to sob cry my make up off