The French team of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who also finished with the best rhythm dance score on Monday, won gold.

Chock and Bates, four-time Olympians, were heavily favored for gold. But they lost by less than two points to a French duo who has been clouded by controversy involving their former partners.

Spain's presence in Wednesday's Olympic ice dancing competition offered a snapshot of two contrasting pathways converging on the same stage, as the country fielded two couples in the event for the first time.