Four-time world champions Papadakis and Cizeron look for golden redemption

The ice dance competition is set for 12 and 14 February, with the French duo - silver medallists at PyeongChang 2018 - the favourites in a field full of veteran teams. Here's the preview.

The ice dancers are set to take centre ice over the coming days at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

The rhythm dance kicks off competition on Saturday (12 February) inside the Capital Indoor Stadium with the free dance set for Monday (14 February).

Four-time world champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron will look to go one step up on the podium, following their silver medal finish at PyeongChang 2018.

But a bevy of veterans feature in the dance, including the reigning world champions Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov of the ROC, who captured the 2021 world title in the absence of the French duo.

Citing limited training conditions and difficulty traveling, Papadakis and Cizeron have limited their competition schedule since the outset of the global pandemic. They did, however, win both their Grand Prix events this season - while also registering the highest score of any team.

Sinitsina/Katsalapov won at Europeans last month, however, where the French did not compete. The ROC's Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin won silver, while Italy's Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri captured the bronze.

Other teams to watch include two American duos: Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue, who were fourth in 2018; and the reigning U.S. champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are reigning world medallists, and the Italians Guignard and Fabbri are consistent medallists on the Grand Prix circuit, as well.