Winter Olympics: US gold medallist Nathan Chen thanks Beijing-born mother for childhood sacrifices – ‘medal is largely hers’
- Hetty Wang surprises her figure skating champion son on US national television after nearly 20 years of sacrifice
- ‘There’s no way I would be able to make it to where I am now without her support’, says Chen
Winter Olympics gold medallist figure skater Nathan Chen has been reunited with his Beijing-born and raised mother on US national television.
The 22-year-old was visibly shocked to see mother Hetty Wang’s surprise appearance during his interview on NBC’s Today show.
Chen, who often cites his mother’s sacrifices for his career since stepping on ice aged three, immediately placed his gold medal around Wang’s neck. He had not seen her in about a month.
“What the heck? No way! Oh my gosh. It’s my mum,” said Chen, the first US skater in 12 years to win individual Olympic gold, as Wang pushed in a cart of New York pizza.
“[The medal] is largely hers, and everyone else on my team’s, but mostly hers I would say.
“Since the very first day I got on the ice until now, she’s been with me every single step of the way. There’s no way I would be able to make it to where I am now without her support. She gave me structure, and she made it fun for me.