France Figure Skating

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France Figure Skating

2017-11-21 18:27 Last Updated At：18:27

Athletes competed their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017.

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Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Liubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Eugenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

xx of compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Marissa Castelli and Mervin Tran of the United States compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Charlene Guignard and Marco Babbri of Italy compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Alexandra Steponova and Ivan Bukin of Russia compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France competes their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Liubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Evegenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis, left, and Guillaume Cizeron of France compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

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Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Liubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Eugenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

xx of compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Marissa Castelli and Mervin Tran of the United States compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Charlene Guignard and Marco Babbri of Italy compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Alexandra Steponova and Ivan Bukin of Russia compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France competes their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Liubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Evegenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis, left, and Guillaume Cizeron of France compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Destructive Cyclone Chido unearths a rift between locals and migrants in France's Mayotte

2024-12-23 00:37 Last Updated At：00:40

MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte (AP) — When Cyclone Chido ravaged Mayotte’s fragile infrastructure, it also exposed deep-seated tensions between the island’s residents and its large migrant population.

Thousands of people who have entered the island illegally bore the brunt of the storm that tore through the Indian Ocean archipelago — France's poorest territory. Authorities in Mayotte said many migrants avoided emergency shelters out of fear of deportation, leaving themselves and the precarious shantytowns they inhabit even more vulnerable to the devastation.

Meanwhile, anger simmered among residents who accused the government of diverting the island’s already scarce resources to migrants at their expense.

“We are the legitimate population of this island,” said Amada Salime. Standing in the rubble of his home on Saturday, he added, “If there is help from the government — water or something to eat or money to make houses — Mahorais people will not have it. Immigrants are more numerous than us, and we will be left behind.”

Mayotte, a French department located between Madagascar and mainland Africa, has a population of 320,000. French authorities have estimated another 100,000 migrants also live there, most of whom have arrived from the nearby Comoros Islands, just 70 kilometers (43 miles) away.

The island’s fragile public services, designed for a much smaller population, are buckling under the strain. According to the French statistics agency INSEE, around three-quarters of Mayotte’s population live in poverty, with a median annual disposable income just one-eighth that of the Paris metropolitan area.

“The problems of Mayotte cannot be solved without addressing illegal immigration,” French President Emmanuel Macron said during his testy visit this week, acknowledging the challenges posed by the island’s rapid population growth. “Despite the state’s investments, migratory pressure has made everything explode,” he added.

The cyclone further exacerbated the island’s issues after destroying homes, schools and infrastructure. Though the official death toll remains 35, authorities say that any estimates are likely major undercounts, with hundreds feared dead.

The migrants’ shantytowns, known as “bangas,” have long been an issue in Mayotte. “Can we solve the issue of shantytowns today? The answer is no. We will address it during the stabilization and rebuilding phase,” Macron said.

For many migrants, like Nazca Antoiy, a Comorian who has lived in Mayotte for a decade, the cyclone has heightened fears of displacement.

“I heard that people were told not to reconstruct new houses. So we need to worry about that,” she said, reflecting a widespread concern that authorities may use the disaster to expedite demolitions of informal settlements.

Such concerns are not unfounded. Last year, France launched Operation Wuambushu, a controversial campaign to demolish shantytowns and deport migrants who entered illegally. Macron hinted that similar policies could resume but stressed reconstruction efforts would take precedence.

The storm has left many residents struggling to meet basic needs.

“I can’t take it anymore. Just to have water is complicated,” said Fatima, a 46-year-old mother of five whose family has been without clean water since the storm ravaged Mayotte last weekend. Fatima, who only gave her first name because her family is known locally, also said she felt the island could not support the current population, let alone more.

Most migrants have family links in Mayotte and speak the same language. They seek a better life on the island rather than aiming to reach the European continent.

Mayotte’s geopolitical position has long made it a hotspot for migration. While the island voted to remain French in referendums held in 1974 and 1976, neighboring Comoros has never recognized its sovereignty and continues to claim the archipelago as its own. This unresolved dispute has fueled waves of migration, with thousands risking perilous sea crossings each year.

Outgoing French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau recently reignited the debate, describing the situation in Mayotte as a “war,” earlier this week. Retailleau proposed stricter measures, including using drones and naval patrols to block further arrivals. “We must be much tougher on the Comoros,” he said, accusing the neighboring government of allowing migrants to leave its shores unchecked.

Retailleau’s calls to “change the rules” include proposals to restrict birthright citizenship in Mayotte, a policy already tightened in 2018 to require proof that at least one parent had been a legal resident for more than three months. Critics argue that these measures only deepen Mayotte’s divisions without addressing the root causes of migration.

A 2023 parliamentary report cited in French media warned that the island was a “ticking time bomb,” while suggesting redistributing part of Mayotte’s migrant population to mainland France — a proposal unlikely to gain widespread support.

Adamson reported from Paris.

France Figure Skating

France Figure Skating

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Liubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Eugenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

xx of compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Marissa Castelli and Mervin Tran of the United States compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Charlene Guignard and Marco Babbri of Italy compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Charlene Guignard and Marco Babbri of Italy compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Alexandra Steponova and Ivan Bukin of Russia compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Alexandra Steponova and Ivan Bukin of Russia compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France competes their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France competes their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Liubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Liubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Evegenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Evegenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis, left, and Guillaume Cizeron of France compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis, left, and Guillaume Cizeron of France compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Liubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Eugenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

xx of compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Marissa Castelli and Mervin Tran of the United States compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Charlene Guignard and Marco Babbri of Italy compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Charlene Guignard and Marco Babbri of Italy compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Alexandra Steponova and Ivan Bukin of Russia compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Alexandra Steponova and Ivan Bukin of Russia compete their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France competes their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France competes their ice dance free dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Liubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Liubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Evegenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Evegenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete their pairs short program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis, left, and Guillaume Cizeron of France compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Gabriella Papadakis, left, and Guillaume Cizeron of France compete their ice dance short dance program during the ISU French Grand Prix figure skating event at Pole Sud Indoor skating rink in Grenoble, southeastern France, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

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