Three-time world champion figure skater, Patrick Chan is hanging up the skates after an illustrious decade-longcareer.
The Canadian figure skating hero has just finished the final Olympic Games of his career, earning a gold medal in the team event and a 9th place finish in the individual event. The 27-year-old Chan is now ready to transition to life outside of elite sport.
Following his final performance on Saturday, he discussed his choice to retire with the Toronto Star:
“I’m so proud that I was able to stick in it this long,” said Chan, “I’m happy that I can leave these Games with a gold medal in the team event. Now I’m looking for gold medals in other things in my life.”
Looking to the future
Chan will pack up his life in Toronto and move out to Vancouver with his girlfriend, Elizabeth Putnam. With plans to open his own skating academy, he is looking forward to exploring the expressive side of skating without the cut-throat nature of the competitive sport.
“I just look forward to not having to expose myself out on the ice, in front of judges and shake it,” he said in an interview with the National Post.
He hopes to be a bridge between retired heroes of the sport and the new up-and-comers who will inevitably bring an evolved style of figure skating to the table.
Patrick Chan, Canada thanks you for wowing us this past decade!
https://twitter.com/eggrater/status/964721286910918656
Got a little 😢watching @Pchiddy skate his final @Olympics 🇨🇦proud👊 pic.twitter.com/tjldANK67S
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) February 17, 2018
Finally watched @Pchiddy’s free skate. What a privilege it’s been to watch him over the years. Thank you Patrick! We will sure miss you on the competitive ice. ♥️🇨🇦 #PeyongChang2018
— Erik Mikkelsen (@ErikHMikkelsen) February 18, 2018