Target of a “smear campaign” for several days, the figure skater, who is preparing to compete in the Winter Olympics, broke his silence this Tuesday.
Guillaume Cizeron in the midst of turmoil. A few weeks before the opening of the Winter Olympic Games. In a book to be published on January 15 (“So as not to disappear”published by Robert Laffont), his former sporting partner Gabriella Papadakis, now far from competition, recounts his life and career.
Her relationship with Cizeron is inevitably discussed, and the former skater describes “arguments, permanent fear, health concerns, the feeling of a certain form of control”until their breakup in December 2024. “The idea of finding myself alone with him terrifies me”relate-t-elle. “His attitude disconcerts me. Sometimes he ignores me; sometimes he plays best friends, like nothing happened […] His coldness makes my blood run cold.”
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A few weeks before their title at the 2022 Olympic Games, “his behavior stresses me out considerably; one or two panic attacks almost prevent me from getting on the ice”she explains in her work.
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Skating: “control”, “discomfort”, “at the end”… Papadakis and Cizeron empty their bags
“A deep respect”
This Tuesday, in a press release, Guillaume Cizeron defends himself: “I would like to clarify my position regarding the recent accusations made against me, which caused great excitement a few days before the European Championships. For more than 20 years, I have shown deep respect for Gabriella Papadakis, whom I have always considered a true partner. Despite a erosion of our bond over the years, our relationship, based on equal collaboration both on a sporting and personal level, has been marked by moments of success and mutual support.
And to add: “Faced with the denigration campaign of which I am the target, I would like to express my incomprehension and my disagreement with the qualifiers attributed to me. These allegations come at a particularly delicate time, less than 15 days before the Olympic Games, raising questions about the intentions behind this campaign. I would also like to denounce the content of the work “To not disappear”, which contains false information, attributing to me, among other things, comments that I never made and which I consider serious.”
“Immediately stop broadcasting his defamatory remarks”
«In this context, I have chosen to entrust this matter to my lawyers and to put all parties involved on notice to immediately cease the dissemination of defamatory remarks against me and I reserve the right to take all legal actions necessary to protect my integrity.
I remain determined to focus on the next competitive events and to defend my reputation with dignity and respect. continues the 31-year-old man.
Guillaume Cizeron and his new partner, the Franco-Canadian Laurence Fournier Beaudry, will try to win a gold medal at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, which begin on February 6. The skater is also a candidate for the role of flag bearer for the opening ceremony.
