First came Nathan Chen’s gloriously redemptive five-and-a-half quads, followed by a career-ending gold for Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, and a brazen and ebullient free-skate from 15-year-old Alina Zagitova.
According to the 1980 Olympic champion Robin Cousins, figure skating has never had it better than its two weeks in Pyeongchang, where records have tumbled and artistry in the sport has toe-looped to new heights.
When Cousins ruled the world, he was still cramming training sessions in between public sessions in London park rinks, and said the prospect of a quad jump was nothing more than a whispered fantasy.
“We talked about quads and laughed. Now here a few of us still are, watching the Olympics with our jaws on the floor.”
Chen’s stunning recovery after a calamitous short program had left him languishing in 17th position was one of the many highlights of a men’s event which ended with gold medallist Yuzuru Hanyu being showered with Pooh Bears.
Cousins added: “What they are doing now is just incredible – and what the women are doing is what the men were doing not so many years ago.
“The quality has gone stratospheric. These have been an exhilarating and phenomenal games, and they will be remembered as a game-changer for future generations of figure skating.”
