'Talk about it all the time’: Olympic Gold Medalists credit Michigan roots as they prepare for 2026

Madison Chock and Evan Bates may train in Montreal, Canada, and compete on the biggest stages in figure skating, but the Olympic gold medalists say their hearts remain firmly in Michigan. Chock and Bates, fresh off winning their third Grand Prix Final gold medal and seventh medal overall, the most of any ice dance team in the event’s history, said their local roots keep them connected to Metro Detroit as they prepare for another Olympic run in 2026.