Nathan Chen abstains from participation in the 2026 Olympic Games
American Figure Skater Nathan Chen Announces Pause in Competitive Career
Nathan Chen, the American figure skater who won gold in the men's singles event at the Beijing Games, has announced that he will not compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. At 26 years old, Chen has expressed contentment with his career in figure skating following his achievements at the Beijing Olympics and has chosen to focus on a new path.
Chen, who also has a bronze medal in the team event at the 2018 Olympics, has stated that he wants to explore new opportunities and determine what is best for his career. He has not officially retired from figure skating but has chosen to "press pause" and open doors for other opportunities in his life at this stage.
Chen graduated from Yale University with a degree in statistics and data science and has been working in a medical research lab. He has also received a research grant from the American Heart Association. Taking the MCAT (medical school admission test) was, according to Chen, more nerve-racking than competing at the Olympics.
With Chen's decision not to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics, younger American skater Ilia Malinin is favored to compete for gold. Since the Beijing Olympics, Chen has not competed in any tournaments.
Despite stepping back from competition, Chen has stayed connected to skating through exhibitions and coaching roles in skating camps. Chen's impressive career in figure skating includes winning gold in both the individual and team events at the Beijing Olympics, as well as three world championship titles: in 2018, 2019, and 2021. The Beijing Games refer to the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing, China. The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Chen, despite graduating with a degree in statistics and data science, still has a passion for sports as he continues to maintain connections with skating through exhibitions and coaching roles in skating camps. During his career, he has achieved significant success in sports, earning gold in both the individual and team events at the Beijing Olympics and three world championship titles.
