The Secrets Of Olympic Figure Skating Couples

It's THE love story of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games: married pair skaters Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao of China have finally won gold in their fourth Olympics.

You've probably heard their tale by now, but if not, here's a short version: they first teamed up 18 years ago, fell in love in 2005 and married two years later. They won bronze in Salt Lake City in 2002 and Torino in 2006, and came out of retirement to go after the top honor at this year's games.

"We have not competed much in the last two years, and we came back to compete at the Olympic Games as it is our dream to win an Olympic gold medal," Zhao told the New York Times.

Too Good To Be True?
The story seems made for TV, and their adoring glances flashed across the screen, almost too cute to be true. But they are very much for real.

"They're adorable," says Canadian ice dancer and two-time Olympian Marie-France Dubreuil, who knows a thing or about being in love with your skating partner; she is married to hers, Patrice Lauzon. The two have toured with Shen and Zhao on Smucker's Stars on Ice for two seasons and were there last year when the Chinese pair announced their competitive comeback.

Dubreuil and Lauzon are in Vancouver working as commentators for French Canadian television. They have joined others in noting the intense connection and emotion that Shen and Zhao show on the ice.

"Honestly, they're attached at the hip," Dubreuil says. "I don't think it's an act. I think it's real." Dubreuil thinks the golden duo feel comfortable being openly affectionate after spending time in the U.S. and Canada and seeing how couples in love behave.

Performing With Your Spouse
Lauzon said he and his partner/wife focus on each other when they perform. They're not self-conscious about letting the public in on their love, and the Chinese pair has achieved the same effect.

"The audience almost feels like intruders into your personal life. When people are able to forget that they're being watched and be in their environment and their own little bubble, that's where you see the connection and you see amazing skating happening," Lauzon said.