Russian Olympic athletes who participated in a rally supporting President Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine are facing a backlash.

After finishing runners-up four years ago, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron claimed the gold medal.

Teams from France and the Russian Olympic Committee, plus two from the U.S., vie for coveted podium spots.

U.S. ice dancers Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue avoided collision with the ROC's Viktoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov.

Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker of the USA perform during the Ice Dance - Rhythm Dance at the Figure Skating World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday, March 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)STOCKHOLM – Russia extended its dominance at the World Figure Skating Championships on Friday when Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov took the rhythm dance. Already, the Russians have won pairs — they almost always do — and have the lead in the women's event. Another of the favorites, Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin of Russia, struggled with some footwork and turns, finishing fifth. Later Friday is the women's free skate, with Anna Shcherbakova of Russia in the lead.