Nathan Chen looking forward to return of Olympics to Salt Lake City

BEIJING — KSL’s Alex Cabrero got another chance to talk to Nathan Chen after his Gold medal-winning performance in Men’s Figure Skating in Beijing. This time, they chatted about Nathan’s efforts to bring the Games back to Utah.

Alex: “Nathan, I’ve got to ask you, it’s been 24 hours, I know you’ve been getting this question a lot, but do you feel relaxed? Is this, does it feel like what you’ve always dreamt of?”

Nathan: “It definitely feels amazing, but yeah, I mean, I don’t know, I still need more time to process everything, but it’s been great to be able to connect with people, and everyone’s just been so loving and supportive over the past 24 hours, and it’s been a lot of fun.”

Alex: “I know you’ve said all along, you want to enjoy this time around, and it seems like you’re really enjoying it. Just in chatting, your shoulders are down, you’re relaxed. In 10 years, you don’t want to look back and hate this experience.”

Nathan: “Absolutely. Yeah, exactly. I mean, at this point in time, you know, I’ve already done most of what I can do to enjoy this experience. And, you know, of course, now that I’m not competing, I get to support the rest of my team and support the rest of Team USA to the best of my abilities. And that will be a lot of fun to do. And, yeah, just do everything that I can to continue enjoying this experience.”

Alex: “The 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake were so important to you — it got you maybe thinking about all of this — and now, you’re on the Committee to bring the Games back to Salt Lake City. You want to provide that chance and that opportunity, that dream, for the next person coming up.”

Nathan: “Absolutely. I mean, the 2002 Games were so great to the community in Salt Lake City. And I know firsthand, you know, what an Olympic Games and a location can do for the next generation of athletes in that location. So, to be able to have that opportunity — we have the infrastructure, we have all the stuff ready, basically, for a Games, and Salt Lake is very much equipped for another Olympics. So, it would be wonderful to have the opportunity to bring the Games back to Salt Lake City, and really, just promote a lot for the community and the next generation of athletes.”

Alex: “I know you’ve been getting questions about ’26 Milan. What about 2030? You want to skate in Salt Lake in 2030?

Nathan: “I mean, if it’s 2030, I might make a reappearance. No, I’m kidding. I don’t know. Honestly, at that point, you know, if we can just get it back into Salt Lake, that will be, you know, the main objective. Yeah, I have no idea where my skating career will take me, but I’m really happy in this current moment.”