Olympics viewers react to Nathan Chen’s record-setting performance

We’d say that Nathan Chen had a good small program in the men’s event at the 2022 Winter Olympics but that wouldn’t be giving him enough credit. The American figure skater set a record for the highest score ever in a men’s short program.

With people tuned in to what was already an action-packed Monday, those watching on Twitter had a lot to say about Chen’s historic performance.

Some fans had some fun with Chen’s outfit of choice.

For the most part, though, the talk centered around Chen’s performance. And given that his performance was not only record-breaking but record-shattering, people had a lot to say.

https://twitter.com/mallory_yu/status/1490917828417015808

The long program is still to come. We won’t know who the medalists are until that event is over. But if someone is going to beat Chen, something drastic will have to occur.

Chen’s performance capped off what was a memorable night of competition in the men’s event.

OK, so Nathan Chen with a more than 5-point lead heading into the free skate.

Jason Brown gets his best free skate number ever.

Yuma Kagiyama and Shoma Uno both brought it and should be dang fun on Wednesday night.

What. A. Night.

— Maggie Hendricks (@maggiehendricks) February 8, 2022

With so much going on in the short program, the long program figures to be appointment viewing television. With two-time reigning gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu in seventh place, it seems all but assured that we’ll have a new gold medalist.

If Chen does go on to win, he’ll be the first American gold medal winner in the event since Evan Lysacek.