U.S. Figure Skater Nathan Chen Completes 4-Year Journey Of Redemption, Wins Gold

Nathan Chen, of the United States, holds his national flag as he celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's free skate program during the figure skating event at the 2022 Winter Olympics on Thursday. David J. Phillip via Associated Press BEIJING — Nathan Chen remembers making the long drive with his mother from his home in Utah to Rafael Arutyunyan’s training base in Southern California. “She would just scrap together some dollars to try to pay Raf, and Raf obviously knew about the situation and thanks to the kindness of his heart, was able to just continue taking me in, and taking as much money as we could provide him.” Arutyunyan would try to give the money back sometimes, Chen said, “but I would always try to stick it in his pocket.” On Thursday, Chen was able to give his old coach something priceless. “I’m just so happy.” This gold medal might not be the last Chen takes home, either. The suave, down-to-earth Chen and his Japanese rivals separated themselves from the field during their short programs, when Chen shattered the world record with a flawless performance to “La Boheme.” When they took to the ice for the free skate, Kagiyama and Uno made just enough mistakes to clear the way for Chen’s coronation.