Figure skating champ Hanyu’s coach consoles devastated Chan

Agence France-Presse

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Three-time world figure skating champion Patrick Chan said Saturday it could take years to get over his disappointment of letting Olympic gold slip through his fingers.

HEARTBREAK. Patrick Chan of Canada reacts at the end of his performance during the Men's Free Skating of the Figure Skating event at the Iceberg Palace during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games. Chan settled for silver. Photo by Barbara Walton/EPA

SOCHI, Russia – Three-time world figure skating champion Patrick Chan said Saturday it could take years to get over his disappointment of letting Olympic gold slip through his fingers.

Ironically it was Canadian coach Brian Orser, who led Yuzuru Hanyu to Japan’s first men’s gold on Friday night, who provided a shoulder for his 23-year-old compatriot to cry on.

Orser said he felt more emotional hugging Chan than Hanyu and his other charge Spaniard Javier Fernandez who finished fourth because he knew the feeling, having twice stood in Chan’s boots, as Canada once again failed to land the men’s gold.

“I’m surprised he said that,” said Chan. “I have worked with Brian a few times. As I told him when we hugged, I wanted to look at my whole journey, not just one bad program.

“It may seem ridiculous. We’re so tough on ourselves for winning a silver medal but you train day in and day out to do that perfect skate and you want it so badly.

“I couldn’t sleep last night I was so busy thinking about those moments those split second moments that could have changed everything.

“I’m lucky to have a great entourage and that’s how you get through it. After that it’s taking time for myself and reflecting on the amazing career I’ve had.

“It’s tough, hopefully I can sleep better tonight and distract myself by watching other people having success.

“Like Brian said it’s hard, it’s going to take years for me to go to bed and not think about those split seconds that could have changed everything.”

Orser – who now coaches Hanyu in Toronto – placed second in 1984 and 1988 while Elvis Stojko followed suit in 1994 and 1998 – leading to talk of a “Canadian curse”.

Chan, the son of Chinese emigrants who settled in Canada, admitted he had desperately wanted the gold.

“I could definitely see the pressure growing in the last three years. Maybe winning three world championships didn’t necessarily help,” he said.

“I’ve had some restless nights because you’re constantly thinking about it. You’re imagining the glory of winning gold and changing history, and also fearing the possibility of not achieving that.

“It’s unfortunate I couldn’t make history but life goes on.”

Chan, who trains in Detroit, said he would not be looking towards the world championships in Saitama, Japan next month nor the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“I’m really not going to look that far ahead. It’s going to be tough to go to Pyeongchang and start a new journey.

“I have to look at it in a positive fashion. Two silver medals is as good as a gold medal and not even Yuzuru can say he’s as much success as me in his career.

“I’m the only male skater to have ever have left the Olympics with two medals so that’s really special to say I have achieved,” added Chan, who also won silver with Canada in the team event.

“I think I’ll still the best skater in the world for some time. I’ve above all pushed the sport in a new direction. We’re really in a new generation.” – Rappler.com

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