Nathan Chen: How Old Is He, PyeongChang Fall, “Quad King” Reputation, and Gay Rumors Explained

Nathan Chen is one of the most dominant figure skaters in modern history. Over the years, he has changed men’s skating with unmatched technical ability. Most importantly, he made quad jumps look almost routine.

Because of that, fans around the world call him the “Quad King.” Still, his career has also included pressure, major setbacks, and public speculation about his personal life.

So, how old is Nathan Chen? What happened during his famous PyeongChang fall? And why do so many people still search questions like “Is Nathan Chen gay?”

Let’s explore his journey in detail.

Nathan Chen’s Early Life and Family Background

Nathan Wei Chen was born on May 5, 1999, in Salt Lake City, Utah. His parents immigrated to the United States from China. He also grew up as the youngest of five siblings.

Interestingly, Chen did not begin skating with Olympic dreams in mind. Instead, he first tried hockey at a young age. However, his mother later encouraged him to take figure skating lessons.

Soon after, his talent became obvious. His balance, speed, and control stood out early. Therefore, his family committed to supporting his training schedule.

Salt Lake City also played a big role in his growth. Since the city hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, skating culture remained strong. As a result, Chen had access to elite coaching and strong competition.

How Old Is Nathan Chen?

Nathan Chen was born in 1999. That means he is 26 years old as of 2026.

Additionally, he will turn 27 in May 2026.

This question remains popular because Chen stepped away from full-time competition while still young. Many fans expected him to compete for another Olympic cycle. However, his life has shifted in a new direction.

Why Nathan Chen Became a Global Star

Nathan Chen gained attention because he combined athletic power with artistic growth. In men’s skating, technical scores matter greatly. Therefore, skaters who master quads often dominate.

Chen didn’t just master quads. He pushed the limit of how many could fit into one program.

Moreover, he did it consistently.

Unlike many skaters who relied on one or two quad jumps, Chen built entire routines around multiple quads. As a result, he separated himself from the competition.

What Does “Quad King” Mean?

Fans call Nathan Chen the “Quad King” because he performs quadruple jumps with rare control. A quad jump requires four full rotations in the air. That makes it one of the hardest skills in the sport.

In fact, even a small error can lead to a fall. Timing matters. Body position matters. Landing angle matters.

Chen became famous because he could land several quads in one performance. More importantly, he did it under pressure.

Additionally, he became one of the first skaters to land five different quad jumps across programs. That level of versatility helped redefine elite skating.

Nathan Chen’s Technical Strength: What Made Him Different?

Chen’s skating style is explosive. He generates speed quickly and carries it into jumps. Therefore, his takeoff looks smooth rather than forced.

Another major advantage is his mental approach. He rarely looked shaken during competitions. Even after mistakes, he stayed focused. That mindset helped him win major events repeatedly.

Furthermore, his jump combinations often came late in the program. That is difficult because fatigue increases as the program goes on. Still, Chen continued to land clean quads when others struggled.

The PyeongChang Olympics: Nathan Chen’s Most Talked-About Moment

The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang marked Nathan Chen’s first Olympic Games. Many experts considered him a medal favorite. However, the pressure hit hard during the short program.

Unfortunately, Chen struggled early. He made multiple errors and suffered a disappointing result. Most notably, he fell and finished far behind the leaders.

At that moment, many fans thought his Olympic dream had collapsed.

However, the story did not end there.

Nathan Chen’s PyeongChang Fall: What Happened?

In PyeongChang, Chen entered the short program with huge expectations. Yet he looked tense from the start. He missed key jumps and lost points quickly.

As a result, he placed 17th after the short program. That position shocked the skating world.

Still, Chen refused to give up. Instead, he used the free skate to make a statement.

The Legendary Comeback Free Skate

The next day, Chen delivered one of the best free skates of his career. He landed six quad jumps, which was almost unheard of at the Olympics at that time.

Because of that performance, he climbed dramatically in the standings. He eventually finished fifth overall.

Although he missed a medal, his comeback became one of the most memorable moments of the Games. In many ways, it also shaped his future success.

Moreover, it proved that he could recover from failure on the biggest stage.

How PyeongChang Changed Nathan Chen’s Career

The 2018 Olympics taught Chen a major lesson. Raw talent wasn’t enough. Mental preparation mattered just as much.

After PyeongChang, Chen improved his consistency. He also built stronger confidence. Therefore, he entered the next years with a new mindset.

Additionally, he became more mature in his performances. His skating started to look less like pure athleticism and more like complete artistry.

That evolution helped him dominate the sport between 2018 and 2022.

Nathan Chen’s Road to Olympic Gold

After the disappointment of PyeongChang, Chen quickly returned to winning form. He collected national titles and world medals. More importantly, he became the top skater in the world.

During this period, he also broke scoring records. His technical scores remained unmatched. Meanwhile, his presentation improved year by year.

By the time the Beijing Olympics arrived, he looked unstoppable.

Beijing 2022: Nathan Chen Finally Wins Gold

Nathan Chen entered the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing with one mission: redemption.

This time, he delivered. He skated with confidence, accuracy, and control. He also avoided the mistakes that haunted him in 2018.

As a result, he won Olympic gold in men’s singles. He also helped Team USA win gold in the team event.

That victory changed everything. It ended years of Olympic pressure. It also completed his legacy as one of the sport’s great champions.

Nathan Chen’s Impact on Figure Skating

Nathan Chen didn’t just win medals. He changed what elite skating looked like.

Before Chen, landing multiple quads in one program was rare. After him, it became the new standard.

In fact, younger skaters now train quads earlier because of the path Chen created. Therefore, his influence will last for decades.

Moreover, he proved that athletes can combine education and sports at the highest level.

Nathan Chen and Yale University

Many fans admire Chen because of his academic focus. Even while training, he attended Yale University. He studied statistics and data science, which is not an easy field.

Balancing Ivy League academics with Olympic training is extremely rare. Yet Chen managed it.

Additionally, he often spoke about life beyond skating. That honesty helped him stand out in a sport where many athletes struggle after retirement.

Is Nathan Chen Gay? The Truth About the Rumors

Search engines often show questions like “Is Nathan Chen gay?” This topic comes from online speculation and gossip. However, there is no confirmed information.

Nathan Chen has never publicly identified as gay. He has also not openly discussed his sexuality in detail.

Therefore, any claim about his sexual orientation remains speculation.

It’s also important to respect privacy. Athletes do not owe the public personal disclosures. In fact, pushing rumors often creates unnecessary pressure.

Why This Question Keeps Trending

Figure skating has long faced stereotypes about masculinity. As a result, many male skaters deal with unfair assumptions.

Chen has spoken about the sport’s culture in interviews. However, some comments were misunderstood or taken out of context. That fueled rumors online.

Still, nothing official supports the speculation.

Ultimately, his personal life should not define his career.

Nathan Chen’s Life After Competitive Skating

After winning Olympic gold, Chen stepped away from regular competition. He focused more on education and future goals. Reports also suggested he had medical school ambitions.

Additionally, he continued skating in shows and public appearances. However, he stopped committing to full-time elite training.

Later, he also announced he would not defend his Olympic title at the 2026 Winter Olympics. That decision surprised many fans. Still, it made sense given his long-term plans.

Books and Public Influence

Nathan Chen has also expanded his influence outside sports. He wrote a memoir titled “One Jump at a Time.” He later released a children’s book called “Wei Skates On.”

These projects show a different side of him. They highlight his personal values and background. Moreover, they inspire younger athletes.

His public image has remained strong because he avoids controversy and focuses on meaningful work.

Why Nathan Chen’s Legacy Will Last

Nathan Chen’s legacy rests on three major pillars: talent, resilience, and innovation.

First, he mastered quads like no skater before him. Second, he overcame failure at PyeongChang and came back stronger. Third, he raised the standard for what elite skating requires.

Because of that, he will always be remembered as a transformative athlete.

Even if he never competes again, his impact remains permanent.

FAQs About Nathan Chen

How old is Nathan Chen in 2026?

Nathan Chen is 26 years old in 2026. He was born on May 5, 1999.

Why is Nathan Chen called the Quad King?

He earned the nickname because he consistently lands multiple quadruple jumps. Additionally, he pushed technical limits in major competitions.

What happened to Nathan Chen in PyeongChang 2018?

Chen struggled in the short program and placed 17th. However, he delivered an incredible free skate and finished fifth overall.

Did Nathan Chen win Olympic gold?

Yes, he won Olympic gold in Beijing 2022 in men’s singles. He also earned gold in the team event.

Did Nathan Chen fall in the Olympics?

Yes, he fell during the short program at the 2018 Olympics. Still, he recovered strongly in the free skate.

Is Nathan Chen gay?

Nathan Chen has not publicly confirmed his sexuality. Therefore, rumors online remain unverified speculation.

Is Nathan Chen competing in the 2026 Olympics?

No, he announced he will not compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Final Thoughts

Nathan Chen’s story includes both struggle and greatness. He faced a crushing Olympic fall in 2018. However, he responded with one of the best comebacks in skating history.

Later, he reached the top by winning Olympic gold in 2022. He also changed the sport through quad dominance. That is why fans still call him the “Quad King.”

Most importantly, Nathan Chen remains a symbol of discipline, intelligence, and resilience. His name will stay tied to figure skating history for a long time.