Nathan CHEN (USA)

He went to her to do a program. Everyone goes to do their programs – someone to Lori Nichol, someone to Jeffrey Buttle, someone to David Wilson, someone to Shae-Lynn Bourne. But they all come back. But from some dance coaches from the former USSR – sometimes not. And here I should point out that this’s their profession. They are professionals in these matters. My profession – when the rocket is flying down, I pick it up, lifted up its nose up and to try to push. Whereever I can. I pushed Ashley Wagner and Adam Rippon – and have pushed them up to some level. And some one, as I said, cling to these rockets.

I know how they do it. Came and said a few nice words: you’re cool athlete, I know how to help you. In fact, they’re offering a baby-sitter services. And I haven’t even said a word to an athlete untill we start work together. I can only repeat once again: someone can presume this, some one do not.

Before the grand-prix in Paris, he called me and said: I’ll see you here, we’ll talk. I said – okay, if you’re going to announce a change of coach, warn me, please. There I was approached by representatives of the media center and reported that Zueva asked them to change the name of the coach in the protocol. They asked – who is still his coach? I’m such kind of person who won’t look after someone and ask ‘Did you do an official announcement or not?’ So I answered: ask him. I doubt they actually asked him. He’s a child, he’s only 17 years old. He came here with four quads to try them all. I don’t think he’s interested in playing this games. I think the responsibility in such cases is on us, the adults, on our decency.

Q: Can Nathan become an Olympic Champion?

– If he will jump and nothing happen…..But while he’s a dropout. I did not have enough time to teach him axel and salchow. It remained to stabilise this two jump and then grow up in terms of intelligence. After all. program components are not actually an intelligence. He’s not a bad guy, a little stubborn, and he’s clever, but for it was always difficult with him. My team and I found a common language with Adam and Ashley. They’re training, improving and do not go down like the majority of skaters of their age