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Nathan Chen is an all-time great figure skater.
But during the 2026 Winter Olympics, the United States legend is just watching.
Chen is actually in Italy, but he's not competing.
He's there watching as Ilia Malinin tries to break the world record for combined score in men's competition, which is currently held by Chen.
Chen still holds the short program world record, and he's the reigning Olympic gold medalist.
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Did Nathan Chen retire?
Chen hasn't competed since the 2022 Olympics.
"Chen never officially retired," writes The Salt Lake Tribune's Julie Jag.
It seems to be more of an unofficial retirement.
"Even if he isn’t gliding over the ice, though, the marks of Chen’s skating will be visible in Milan’s arena and many others," Jag writes. "His innovative style has set the stage for skaters who have adopted his daring moves — from quadruple jumps to backflips — as they push the envelope of what humans can do and what judges will accept."
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Chen set the stage for Malinin.
"Nathan is the one that set that path forward," commentator Tara Lipinski told Jag.
Chen was known as "The Quad King," and now a direct predecessor to Malinin, the "Quad God."
Malinin has said of Chen: "He definitely inspired me so much."
Now, these Olympics are a bit of a baton pass from Chen to Malinin.
English (US)