Yeah I was wondering about that. I just can imagine that academically, he may feel like he's losing momentum in his field.
I totally agree. Not sure if he's still thinking of going to medical school and if the answer if yes, then I see him going the MD, PhD route. I think that his older sister who is a C level executive and cofounder of Mammoth Biosciences is a big influence on him.
I don't think anyone suggested that Nathan "doesn't care much for skating." As you acknowledged, skating is just one of many activities in his life. But it's absolutely punishing to train at his level, and he has other things he wants to accomplish, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if he decided to move on. Sort of like Sunisa Lee (gymnastics). She could easily stay in to aim for Paris - it's only 3 years away - but she's happily leaving elite gymnastics behind to have a full college experience and "a normal life."
But I think there definitely is a common belief that you have to devote yourself 100% to skating and put the rest of your life on hold or else you don't love skating enough. Back when Nathan decided to attend Yale plenty of fans felt it was essentially a retirement announcement. My point is that just because there are other things that Nathan would like to accomplish in life it doesn't necessarily mean a retirement from skating. Yes, if there are physical reasons, but if he is physically ok I could definitely see him trying to continue juggling skating and school.
What if he's completely satisfied that he's achieved everything he wants to achieve in skating and is completely happy to move on to other pursuits? If he wins the Olympics, I'd be stunned if he continued skating beyond this year. For what - another world title? When you already have a few, that may not be enough of a carrot to keep up with the grind.
This is exactly why I hope to see him continue. Nathan isn't at the end of his potential development in terms of artistry. It would be a shame to cut it short. I feel like he has so many more beauties to offer. And he keeps improving and getting better; I would love to see how far he can go in that department.
Because it is excruciatingly punishing on your body to train quads and because there is more to life than skating.
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He also said he likes it. He was hoping to continue doing both simultaneously this past season.
No, he could finish Yale and then take a break from school to train for 2026, after which he could retire and go on to med/grad school. After Yale he'll be only 24, which is still peak age for a male skater.
That wasn't the case 20 years ago. Most female tennis players retired in their 20s back then.
A lot of skaters do choose to retire right after the Olympics, but they don't always stop skating. Some will do a few shows, some will go on to coach/choreo, and some will take a completely new path (going back to school, new career etc). I can see Nathan focusing more on school and his future career, but who knows how he feels about competing? He might surprise us all.
You saved me the trouble about posting that about Suni! She's focused on school and healing up her injuries (particularly her leg/ankle), but she absolutely has not ruled out returning to elite at some point! And why not, as far as her body, heart, and soul are willing? Same goes for Nathan!
Of course Nathan's thread should be fun, but aren't we allowed to have proper discussions on deeper subject matters and be realistic/genuine with how we really feel too? You're free to cheer Nathan on as much as possible. No one's asking you to be involved in discussions you don't want to partake in. And, I think most have been trying really hard to move on from the subject involving that other skater.I really wish that Nathan's fan thread could be kept upbeat and fun as it usually is. I was really bummed to come here after a time to find some fans apparently denigrating a great skater and sweet soul like Yuzuru. I come here to his fan thread to cheer Nathan on!
Sure, that's always a possibility. I'm just guessing that he's not going to want to put schooling off, especially if he wins a gold in Beijing next year.
I was not addressing you, but since you chose to reply - You are free to do as you choose. I stand by my opinion that a fan cheer thread should be just for that - cheering on the skaters, not as an opportunity to tear another skater down, which defeats the purpose of a cheer thread. No, I don't have to participate in negative posts here, but I don't feel that I should have to see negative posts in a cheer thread either. Imo, it brings down the tone on what should be positive and joyful for the skater that one wants to support. There are other threads for bashing other skaters if that is one's inclination. In any event, my remedy for not seeing such posts again, which are a real bummer in a cheer thread, is to simply hit the ignore button on any poster who is determined to be a party pooper, a Debbie Downer, or a wet blanket. I have nothing further to say.
THIS!Yes, it's the beginning of the Olympic season but I, for one, would really appreciate it if people posting in Nathan's fan thread could maintain respect for Hanyu -- like Nathan does in his public statements to the media -- and also refrain from bashing Fanyus in general. Thank you.
I don't think Nathan thinks of domination when he sets goals, not that any of us will ever know for sure
. I believe his goals for this season would be a clean 6 quad FS and clean Olympic programs. 
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