U.S. Olympic ice dancers break silence after leaked video shows Alex Shibutani berating sister Maia at practice

U.S. Olympians Alex and Maia Shibutani are speaking out about a recent controversy.

The sibling ice dancers broke their silence on a leaked video of Alex loudly berating his sister and calling her an "idiot" during a private training session. "I feel terrible about it," Alex said in Osaka on Friday as the duo competed for the NHK Trophy as part of ISU's Grand Prix Series, according to the Associated Press. "Unfortunately, I lost my temper in training and it shouldn't have happened."

Alex added that he "apologized to Maia right after our practice" finished, noting that he believes both siblings "understand" that the outburst was a result of "the intensity of what we are trying to do and the standards that we have."

He admitted that "it was wrong" and said he is "committed to being a better teammate" for his sister. "I'm so lucky to skate with Maia," he said. "We have a very unique, special relationship and we are committed to each other and to this process."

Maia also acknowledged the video in Osaka. "When you are working toward being your best there are going to be intense moments, but for us we understand each other and the process and we work through it together like siblings do," she explained. "We continued practicing that day and we choose each other every time."

In the leaked video, Alex can be heard telling his sister "don't be a jackass" and "be a f---ing champion." He also says, "I have no patience anymore," "I can't kindly talk to you," and "you are an idiot," among other choice phrases.

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The Shibutanis won back-to-back U.S. Championships in 2016 and 2017, and scored two bronze medals at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang. They retired shortly thereafter, and in 2019, Maia had a malignant tumor removed from her kidney.

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Alex and Maia announced their return to competitive ice dancing in May, and are mounting a comeback with the hopes of competing at the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina.

"These past seven years have challenged and inspired us in ways we never expected," Maia said at the time. "I'm so happy and grateful to be healthy and in a position to make the decision to return to the sport I love in this way."

The Shibutanis placed sixth in the rhythm dance event in Osaka on Friday.