Nathan Chen

[oatmella]

Nathan certainly had a great chance at this year’s OG for an individual medal - but it wasn’t meant to be and that’s ok ... though watching some of the pre-Olympics stuff is still a little bittersweet

I think OG experience was the culmination of many things - not just not listening to his coach at that moment, etc. Though I very much admire Nathan taking accountabiiity when things don’t go well.

Super exciting to think how much better he could be by 2022

And maybe some more white hair too -

 

[heyheyhey]

I also hope he will get OGM at 2022. Only the best wishes for Nathan.

again about the bold part. we have discussed this in length on this FF. Nobody knows for sure what happened. I would take Raf's Russian interview with a grain of salt. And all in all,
it is a collective decision. Nathan took the full responsibility and blame onto himself is admirable on Nathan's part, which does not change anything.

ETA: and Raf as a coach who does NOT have to ability to pursuade/communicate your student to fellow your maybe better plan (as he acclaimed), but only shake off all the responsibilities afterwards. is NOT someone I personally admire.

Nothing Nathan said has contradicted what Raf said happened. I have no reason to believe he is lying, he just said what the situation was and I didn’t think it painted his parents or Nathan in a bad way. I’ve been there (not Olympics obviously but similar thing with coach/parent stuff) so I can understand Nathan’s intentions as well as Raf’s. Everyone seemed to have the best intentions but the ultimate decision was Nathan’s and he made the wrong one. It happens, nothing wrong with failure. That’s how you learn and they’ve all learned valuable lessons. That’s what I took from it.

And I’ll just say that’s not how coaching works. Ask Frank Carroll, a coach will NEVER win over a parent. Never. He clearly tried to persuade Nathan but he chose not listen so that is effectively on Nathan. He is the athlete, he decides on that ice what he will or will not do and no one can stop him. If he didn’t want to listen, that is on him so of course he would take the blame. It’s on him. I’m glad he understands that. I’m not placing that on Raf, personally. It’s a helpless situation going up against parents, it’s a losing battle. I admire that he tired. But he’s honest and if you ask him what happened, he will tell you without mincing his words.

 

[Mamamiia]

Nathan is clearly tired of being a soccer mom/housewife - guess that’s why he’s really changing things up this season !

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhAyBz3AA3U/?taken-by=nathanchen_ice_prince

lol I don't even need to open the picture

 

[yyyskate]

^^^^ Nothing Nathan said has contradicted what Raf said happened. I have no reason to believe he is lying, he just said what the situation was and I didn’t think it painted his parents or Nathan in a bad way. I’ve been there (not Olympics obviously but similar thing with coach/parent stuff) so I can understand Nathan’s intentions as well as Raf’s. Everyone seemed to have the best intentions but the ultimate decision was Nathan’s and he made the wrong one. It happens, nothing wrong with failure. That’s how you learn and they’ve all learned valuable lessons. That’s what I took from it. I’ll leave it at that since it seemed this was already discussed before.

just your opinion and interpretation of this whole situation. better leave it at this.

- - - Updated - - -

lol I don't even need to open the picture

#Soulmates


ETA: How many times do I have to emphasize this. Nathan DID do a easiler SP in the TE, but bombed that, more difficult SP in individual event is planned since he did practice 4luz throughout that OG week and the decision that he made on his own is about go for 6 quads for the FS, which is the BEST decision he ever made in this OG.
what is Raf's plan anyway ??? Did he even have a plan that he is confident to take some responsibility??

 

[heyheyhey]

just your opinion and interpretation of this whole situation. better leave it at this.

- - - Updated - - -


#Soulmates

Obviously, who else’s opinion or interpretation would it be lol? But anyways, I saw your edit and added in my take but since I originally said I’ll leave it, we’ll just agree to disagree and leave it there

 

[heyheyhey]

I figured he'd win or... or not be on the podium, which is what happened. Since with him lately this season and going back to worlds last year, he either does great (or great enough in the SP) to win or does poorly and misses the podium. He's not a "do a pretty good job and win a silver" kind of skater. He doesn't do in-between lol

I'm more excited for 2022 than for 2018 for the OGM.

That’s true but what’s funny is that he’s only ever missed the podium like 2-3 times (in seniors) lol. So basically it’s gold or go home with him but luckily it’s 90% gold lol

 

[yyyskate]

haha,
the FF freeze when Raf is mentioned. indeed sensitive.

move on move on, we need @oatmella to give us something funny.:luv17:

 

[sheetz]

Last night Nathan didn't attempt the quad in BFTE. I guess he leaves it out when he's tired. Sounds like the cast is dead tired today so I wonder if he will leave it out again.

 

[yyyskate]

Last night Nathan didn't attempt the quad in BFTE. I guess he leaves it out when he's tired. Sounds like the cast is dead tired today so I wonder if he will leave it out again.

i assumed that is a quad toe, no wonder the seemly better flow out.

 

[oatmella]

very sensitive topic ineed - and not in a good way

Karen changed her hashtag sometime after our last discussion - #Sibs - no for supposed speculation here please

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiZkN6wBopO/

#2or4 may be grammar related - or just an inside thing

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKn-RozjBR0/

 

[heyheyhey]

Well I think almost everyone has strong opinions on Raf, good or bad so any discussion about him is bound to get a bit intense I guess lol. He’s an intense guy, it’d probably be hard to be neutral on him. He’s a love him or hate him type (I’d say pretty much all Russian coaches are with FS fans, there’s def a theme lol). Nothing wrong with that. I think it makes for interesting discussion but sometimes you just gotta agree to disagree and keep it moving.

When does SOI end?

 

[yyyskate]

very sensitive topic ineed - and not in a good way

Karen changed her hashtag sometime after our last discussion - #Sibs - no for supposed speculation here please

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiZkN6wBopO/

#2or4 may be grammar related - or just an inside thing

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKn-RozjBR0/

I need alot more snowflakes to cool down my red hot cheeks: rn from all these Raf chat

so what is the original tag before Karen changed it to #Sibs I kinda forget. Nathan FF seems really is heavily monitored...

ETA: changed it, sibs not shibs

 

[sheetz]

I noticed more Japanese fans are speculating about Nathan and Karen. LOL

Practice from Meryl's IG story
https://twitter.com/aboutNathan0505/status/993189822968745984

 

[oatmella]

I need alot more snowflakes to cool down my red hot cheeks rn from all these Raf chat

so what is the original tag before Karen changed it to #Sibs I kinda forget. Nathan FF seems really is heavily monitored...

ETA: changed it, sibs not shibs

I think #Sibs replaced #Yes

 

[heyheyhey]

I need alot more snowflakes to cool down my red hot cheeks: rn from all these Raf chat

so what is the original tag before Karen changed it to #Sibs I kinda forget. Nathan FF seems really is heavily monitored...

ETA: changed it, sibs not shibs

Aww, sorry if I made you mad. No hard feelings

 

[yyyskate]

I noticed more Japanese fans are speculating about Nathan and Karen. LOL

Practice from Meryl's IG story
https://twitter.com/aboutNathan0505/status/993189822968745984

not just Japanese fans... it just is not allowed to chat about it on this FF

and Nathan is been cute as always in his Teal Tee.

 

[yyyskate]

Aww, sorry if I made you mad. No hard feelings

tried for a while, but could not find any way to spin this into something funny and cute, Maybe @nathanwchen can help me.:

 

[yyyskate]

I think #Sibs replaced #Yes

thank you oatmella for all these snowflakes.

so it is not he said yes, she said yes situation...

 

[heyheyhey]

tried for a while, but could not find any way to spin this into something funny and cute, Maybe @nathanwchen can help me.:

Haha, it’s ok. Just be yourself, that’s good enough

Anybody well versed in Harry Potter? What house would Nathan be put under? This is such a random question but it came up in another discussion and I’m curious lol

 

[oatmella]

Let’s keep the feelings here nice and soft

Like the amazing ice that Nathan enjoyed skating on while he was with Marina