39 weeks ago, a fan shared a video of Ilia Malinin watching a performance by a renowned figure skater. The skater Malinin was watching, has won multiple world championships and Olympic medals. Known for blending technical skill with artistry, he changed the sport with groundbreaking jumps and consistency. Under Arutyunyan’s guidance, Malinin continues to push the limits of figure skating, just like the athlete he was watching once did.
“Rafael Arutyunyan and Ilia Malinin watch Nathan Chen’s video I don’t usually repost stories, but this was touching, so I shared it. Thank you,” the caption of the video read. Now, that very skater is here with disappointing news.
At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Nathan Chen soared to gold with a stunning performance. He broke the world record in the short program, nailing two quadruple jumps with ease. In the free skate, he pushed the limits, landing five quads flawlessly. His total score, 332.60, crowned him champion and brought the U.S. its first men’s singles Olympic gold in over a decade. But seems like he does not want to do that again.
Six months before the Milano Cortina Olympics, Chen confirmed he would not defend his Olympic title. The two-time Olympic gold medalist hasn’t officially retired, but is ready to embark on a new career in medicine. “I just want to open doors to kind of see what’s the best sort of approach for me,” Chen told the LA Times.
Ironically, Beijing was the last time Chen had put on the skates for a competition, and even Milano-Cortina is not able to change that.
He further added, “And frankly, at this point in time in my life, I’ve already accomplished enough in skating that I’m quite satisfied with my career.” And why would he not be? He set the world record in the short program. After helping the United States win the team competition, he made history as the first singles skater to win two Olympic golds at the same Games.
SAITAMA, JAPAN – MARCH 23: Gold medalist Nathan Chen of the United States is interviewed at the kiss and cry after competing in the Men Free Skating on day four of the 2019 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on March 23, 2019 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura – International Skating Union (ISU)
His achievements also include a record-breaking streak of 17 consecutive victories from 2018 to 2021, the longest in modern figure skating history. After the gold in 2022, he smoothly returned to student life, continuing and finishing his bachelor’s degree at Yale, picking up right where he left off before the Games.
From disaster to gold to medicine: Nathan Chen
At the 2018 Winter Olympics, Nathan Chen had a tough start.
In the team event short program, he scored 80.61 points, and the U.S. team initially placed fourth, later earning bronze. His short program didn’t go as planned, scoring 82.27 points and ranking 17th, well below expectations. “It was rough. Nothing really clicked together,” he recalled. “I did all the right stuff going into it, so it should have been different. But stuff happens. I’ll try to take it for what it is and move on.”
He later bounced back in the free skate, landing six quadruple jumps and earning 215.08 points. His total score was 297.35, which put him in fifth place overall. After that, he went to claim the records in Beijing and then went back to college.
While at Yale, Chen found new inspiration in his academic life, especially through Jennifer Kwan, an assistant professor of medicine at the university and a physician-scientist specializing in cardio-oncology. The work in Kwan’s lab brought Chen “a blossoming interest and passion outside of skating,” he shared back then.
After the 2023 Olympics, many did not believe in him coming back, and speculations are now confirmed.
The 26-year-old graduated from Yale University last year and is seeking medical school programs. The Olympian is looking to work in cardiology or oncology. “The basis of being a doctor, I think, is to help people,” he mentioned. “I think that’s something that I didn’t necessarily feel as an athlete.” He is completely shifting his career path after being one of the best to have put on the figure skates. Think he can shine there as well?
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