The chemistry displayed on the ice by ice dancing veterans Madison Chock and Evan Bates is now more real than ever.
The pair has skated together since 2011, but told Inside Edition they have been officially dating since last year.
“We were always having a blast and we were laughing all the time and just enjoying our time together,” Bates,25, said. “I think that friendship and that base was what sort of led to the romance.”
The Chinese Hawaiian said the two actually had their first date at age 16, but called that “puppy love.” At that time, the two were not skating together.
Years later, their simmering romance is real.
“Well, I pretty much told Maddie that I loved her,” Bates, 28, said to Today. “Last year I told (her) how I really felt and that changed things a lot.”
The two also share their love for their two puppies, Stella and Henry. Henry belongs to Chock. Stella is Bates’ pup.
“The first time I brought my dog to the rink, he jumped right on the ice no hesitation! He just was curious and wanted to check it out” Chock explained to US.
Bates said Henry is just the opposite.
” My dog Stella is probably the opposite – the polar opposite,” he said. “She doesn’t mingle well with others, she doesn’t do ice skating. She’s a sofa dweller.”
Chock and Bates placed third at the U.S. National Finals in January. This is their second Olympics together.
“I think it certainly helps, that kind of experience is invaluable,’’ Chock said to The Oakland Press. “The Olympics were an event like none other, the experience will serve us well.’’
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