The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating exhibition gala closed two unforgettable weeks of competition with laughter, tears and powerful performances but few moments felt as intimate as the skate delivered by Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

According to Olympics.com, the gala on 21 February featured 29 diverse performances that ranged from rock anthems to playful comedy numbers. Yet romance took center stage during several slower routines, creating a softer mood inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Among the early highlights, pairs bronze medallists Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin enchanted the crowd with HAEVN’s “Fortitude,” showcasing smooth lines and lifts strong enough for competition.

But it was silver medallists Chock and Bates who elevated the romantic tone even further.

The husband-and-wife duo, known for their energetic and dynamic programs during competition in Milan, chose a slower and more emotional piece for the gala. Skating to Melody Gardot’s “Once I Was Loved,” they delivered a poignant performance that felt deeply personal.

A long white cloth became part of their storytelling, woven carefully through their choreography to add dramatic effect. The prop symbolized connection and unity, enhancing the emotional weight of their movements. Their glide across the ice was controlled and graceful, each lift and transition unfolding with quiet intensity.

While there are no medals awarded at an exhibition gala, the performance stood out as one of the evening’s most memorable moments. In contrast to the fast-paced, technically packed routines that earned them Olympic silver, Chock and Bates embraced stillness and subtle expression in this final Olympic skate.

As the gala wrapped up the figure skating events at Milano Cortina 2026, their performance served as a reminder that beyond jumps and scores, figure skating remains an art form — one capable of telling love stories without a single word spoken.