Gabriella Papadakis Releases Memoir on Figure Skating Journey
Paris, 8 January 2026 – French ice dancer Gabriella Papadakis, a 2022 Olympic champion and five-time world title holder with partner Guillaume Cizeron, has released her memoir ‘To Not Disappear’, offering an intimate look at her triumphs, challenges, and decision to retire from competitive skating.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Gabriella Papadakis, born in Clermont-Ferrand in 1995, began skating at the age of four under the guidance of her mother, a figure skating coach. Paired with Guillaume Cizeron since childhood, the duo relocated to Montreal in 2014 to train with Romain Haguenauer, Marie-France Dubreuil, and Patrice Lauzon. They dominated the sport, securing five world championships (2015–2016, 2018–2019, 2022), five consecutive European titles (2015–2019), and Olympic gold in Beijing 2022 after silver in PyeongChang 2018.
Their performances, including world record scores in the free dance and total points, showcased innovative programmes set to music by artists like John Legend and Gabriel Fauré. Papadakis and Cizeron retired in 2022, citing a desire for new artistic pursuits, though they initially considered a return for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Key Facts and Statistics
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Olympic Medals | Gold (2022 Beijing), Silver (2018 PyeongChang) |
| World Championships | 5 titles (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022) |
| European Championships | 5 consecutive titles (2015–2019) |
| Personal Best Scores | Total: 229.82 (2022 Worlds); Free Dance: 137.09 (2022 Worlds); Rhythm Dance: 92.73 (2022 Worlds) |
| Grand Prix Wins | 10 gold medals in the series |
Post-Retirement and Memoir
Since retiring, Papadakis has transitioned into choreography, working with French skaters like Lorine Schild and Léa Serna. She also served as an ice dance analyst for NBC’s coverage of the 2025 US Championships. Her memoir, published in January 2026, addresses themes of identity, gender, and the pressures of elite sport, including unseen injuries and the normalisation of inappropriate behaviour in figure skating. Titled ‘To Not Disappear’, it aims to reclaim her narrative and highlight issues faced by women in the sport.
Papadakis has expressed that the book stems from her experiences, balancing victories with the mental toll of competition. She maintains a Substack newsletter, ‘GO FIGURE!’, where she shares essays on skating, reinvention, and personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What programmes are Papadakis and Cizeron best known for?
Their 2021/2022 season featured a rhythm dance to Hip Hop and Blues by John Legend, and a free dance to Gabriel Fauré’s ‘Élégie’, which earned them Olympic gold.
Why did Papadakis and Cizeron retire?
They announced retirement in 2022 after winning their fifth world title, citing a need for artistic freedom and addressing personal challenges in the sport.
What is the significance of Papadakis’ memoir?
It provides an honest account of her career, including triumphs like breaking world records and the emotional aspects of stepping away from competition, while advocating for change in figure skating.