Her teenage angst, the sexual assaults she suffered at the hands of two men, her concussion, an abortion, her depression. Adding to these wounds is a relationship with her ice skating partner that has deteriorated over the years despite their numerous successes, including five world championship titles between 2015 and 2022.
Papadakis recounts "the arguments, the constant fear, the health problems, the feeling of a certain kind of control," leading up to their breakup in December 2024. "The idea of being alone with him terrifies me," she says. "His attitude throws me off balance. Sometimes he ignores me; sometimes he plays the best friend, as if nothing were wrong […] His coldness chills me to the bone."
A few weeks before their title at the 2022 Olympics, "his behavior stresses me out considerably; one or two panic attacks almost prevent me from getting on the ice," she writes.
For Cizeron, "the foundations began to crumble when Gabriella started to get worse." Papadakis "always had a certain strength, but also great vulnerabilities," he explained to L'Équipe. "I took care of all the logistics. I had to adapt, to be strong for two. But I felt, despite my efforts, that our relationship was eroding," he added.
The skater, for her part, accuses him of "palpable anger," "a kind of constant tension," and fears "an explosion." The two athletes briefly tried to get back on track through couples therapy. A "total failure," according to Cizeron. "I realized as the sessions progressed just how far she was drifting."
