Chantal Hartel

For many years, Madison Hubble and Gabriela Papadakis were rivals on the ice. But during their time as competitors, they also formed a friendship. After their retirement, the pair trained together in Canada and posted videos of them skating together online. Then, as Papadakis put it, one thing led to another, and they ended up performing at an ice gala that took place in cities across Switzerland.

You can start from home. One reviewer described the performance as a work of art full of softness and intimacy which breaks through the slick and polished surface of the sport. The two former Olympians acknowledged that the inclusion of same-sex couples in competitive skating would be a slow process. But Papadakis, who is bisexual...

said she hoped their pairing would at least start a conversation.

So having spent decades performing alongside men, does it feel any different to skate with a woman? For Hubble, not so much.

For the former champions, this wasn't just about modernising the world of figure skating. They also want to inspire more women and girls to pursue the sport competitively.

Hubble and Papadakis hope their skating tour in Switzerland was the first of many projects together. In a recent blog post, Papadakis wrote that figure skating is at its best when it celebrates grace, strength and harmony. It is time, she says, to redefine what those words mean and who gets to embody them.

Honestly, it's so exciting. She's the biggest name in rugby at the moment. She's just really made it so much more exciting and accessible to younger people as well.