Figure skating-French ice dancers Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron face controversy

MILAN, Feb 5 : Ice dance duo Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron arrived at the Milano Cortina Olympics as one of the sport's most compelling new partnerships and gold‑medal favourites, all while standing at the centre of a storm of controversy.

The French twosome have faced a swirl of scrutiny around the circumstances of their partnership after allegations made by Cizeron's former partner Gabriella Papadakis plus the suspension of Fournier Beaudry's former partner Nikolaj Sorensen.

In the Netflix documentary series "Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing" released on Sunday, retired American skater Adam Rippon said there was a "sinister energy" surrounding the two.

Asked on Thursday about being cast as a villain, Cizeron kept the focus firmly on the ice.

"We've been very focused on having a lot of fun on the ice and bringing as much gratefulness as we can to our skating," he told reporters at the Milano Olympic Village.

"We love skating, and we love skating together, and this is what we're focusing on."

Cizeron - the reigning Olympic champion with Papadakis - and Fournier Beaudry, a Canadian who received French citizenship in November, teamed up last March in a move that sent ripples through the figure skating world.

They experienced instant success, winning both of their Grand Prix assignments and last month's European Championships.

They should challenge Madison Chock and Evan Bates for gold after finishing six points behind the Americans in second at the Grand Prix Final, despite Fournier Beaudry crashing hard in the free dance after catching her blade on her dress.

"We started a new chapter a year ago," Cizeron said. "Neither of us would have thought we'd be here today, so everything is like a bonus for us.

"Every time we