Monday 7 February 2022

Karen Chen helps Team US to a silver medal in the figure skating at Beijing... despite the 22-year-old suffering a worrying ankle injury the morning before taking to the ice

 Skating star Karen Chen played through the pain to help secure the third silver for Team US at the Winter Olympics.

The 22-year-old Californian suffered an injury before taking to the ice in the figure skating event and helping seal a place on the medals podium for America in the figure skating team event.


Despite her agony her efforts were not enough to beat the Russian Olympic Committee who secured gold for the second time.

Karen Chen played through the pain to seal a third silver for Team USA at the Winter Olympics

Karen Chen played through the pain to seal a third silver for Team USA at the Winter Olympics

The 22-year-old suffered an ankle injury prior to her skate, but managed to pull through in the contest

The 22-year-old suffered an ankle injury prior to her skate, but managed to pull through in the contest


Karen revealed after stepping off the ice: 'I had a really rough morning. I mildly hurt my ankle and so I was just really worried about that, but I'm really proud of what I did out there.

'It's pretty much what I've been training. Obviously there were some little boo-boos here and there.

'The jumps could be better, just overall could be better, but it's a great confidence boost moving on to the individual event.'

Told that her heroics Monday had secured silver for the USA team with the points awarded through her performance, she said she was surprised.

Chen felt her jumps could have been better, but will take confidence from her results

Chen felt her jumps could have been better, but will take confidence from her results

She said: 'Really? I had no idea. Honestly, this whole entire time I've just been focusing on my training and trying not to overwhelm my mind with stuff like that.'

Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier were in the pairs free skate discipline , while Madison Chock and Evan Bates competed in the ice dance. Karen's event was the women's free skate.

But they were only able to amass 65 points against ROC's 74 point haul. Japan won bronze with 63 points.

Karen revealed last month that she has ongoing hip problems and she missed a whole season in 2019 with a fractured foot.

Chen revealed her ongoing hip problems and she missed a whole season in 2019 through injury

Chen revealed her ongoing hip problems and she missed a whole season in 2019 through injury

Her own hero is the US's Figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi who won gold at the 1992 games and was twice World champion.

Karen , who is from Fremont, CA, added: 'I’ve looked up to her as a little girl and still to this day. We actually share the same hometown.

'I remember bumping into her at my local ice rink and being too starstruck and shy to ask her to sign my skate.

'She has been a huge inspiration for me, not just because of hert incredible skating achievements, but how kind and generous she is.'

America's other silvers have been won by Jaelin Kauf in the women's moguls and Julia Marino in the women's snowboard slopestyle.

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