Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Chen Starts Harvard Med School

When Nathan Chen walked into his White Coat Ceremony at Harvard Medical School, he wasn't alone in making history.

Standing beside him was Tenley Albright, the first American woman to win Olympic gold in figure skating back in 1956. Albright graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1961, creating a powerful full-circle moment between two champions separated by six decades.

Chen won individual gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and helped Team USA claim another gold in the team event. The three-time world champion hasn't competed since those Games, and last year he confirmed he won't defend his title at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.

For a skater nicknamed the "Quad King," stepping away from competition at 27 might seem early. But Chen sees it differently.

"I've already accomplished enough in skating that I'm quite satisfied with my career," he told the Los Angeles Times. Now he's ready to explore what else he can do beyond the rink.

His path to Harvard started long before he left competitive skating. Chen graduated from Yale with a degree in statistics while still competing at an elite level, proving he could balance both worlds successfully.

Medicine caught his attention for a deeply personal reason. "The basis of being a doctor, I think, is to help people," Chen said. "I think that's something that I didn't necessarily feel as an athlete, that I felt was a little bit lacking."

Cardiology, oncology, and cardiothoracic surgery have all sparked his interest. Getting here came with its own challenges, and Chen admitted that taking the MCAT was more nerve-wracking than competing at the Olympics.

Why This Inspires

Chen's journey shows that success doesn't have to follow a single path. His work with Your True Step, a nonprofit connecting with young skaters, revealed his passion for helping others in ways competition couldn't satisfy.

He's not abandoning his first love, though. "Skating is my life and my true core identity," Chen explained. "No matter what I do outside of skating, my life will still revolve around skating to some degree."

Harvard's decision to have Albright present at Chen's ceremony recognized this beautiful symmetry. Two Olympic champions, both figure skaters, both choosing medicine, separated by generations but united by purpose.

The Quad King has found his next arena, and this time the stakes are life and death.