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Entertainment & Biography

2022 Olympic Skaters Gold Medal Winners: Where to Watch the Ultimate Highlight Reels

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To watch the official 2022 Olympic skating gold medal highlight reels, your primary sources are the official Olympics YouTube channel and the Olympics.com video archive. These platforms host comprehensive, high-definition recaps of figure skating, speed skating, and short track events, featuring every gold-medal performance from the Beijing Winter Games.

Official Platforms for 2022 Olympic Skating Highlights

In 2026, the digital landscape for sports media has matured, but the most reliable repositories for historical Olympic footage remain the official channels. Because the International Olympic Committee (IOC) maintains strict control over broadcasting rights, the "Gold Medal Moments" and "Full Replays" are best viewed through verified sources to ensure high-bitrate video and original commentary.

The Olympics YouTube Channel

The Olympics YouTube channel serves as the most accessible library for 2022 highlight reels. For those looking for quick, punchy edits, the "Best of" series provides three-to-five-minute clips of gold medalists. These reels typically focus on the most dramatic jumps in figure skating or the final two laps in speed skating. They are optimized for mobile viewing and are free to access globally, though some regions may experience temporary licensing blackouts depending on local broadcaster agreements.

Olympics.com (The Olympic Channel)

For a more technical and immersive experience, the official Olympics website offers the "World Feed" versions of the 2022 skating events. Unlike the edited YouTube highlights, these reels often include ambient arena sound, multiple camera angles (including the "spider-cam" views common in Beijing), and detailed graphics showing velocity and rotation counts. This is the preferred platform for enthusiasts who want to analyze the technical precision of a gold-medal performance rather than just see the podium celebration.

Regional Broadcaster Archives

In specific territories, local broadcasters maintain high-quality archives with localized commentary. In the United States, NBC Sports and Peacock maintain a deep library of the 2022 Winter Games. In the United Kingdom, the BBC iPlayer or Eurosport archives offer similar highlights. These regional reels are particularly valuable because they often feature post-event interviews with the gold medalists that are not included in the standard IOC international highlight packages.

Figure Skating Gold Medalists: The Definitive Reels

Figure skating remains the "crown jewel" of the Winter Olympics for many viewers. The 2022 highlight reels for figure skating are characterized by groundbreaking technical feats and immense emotional narratives. When searching for these reels, it is helpful to look for specific "Free Skate" or "Long Program" footage, as these are the segments where gold medals were ultimately secured.

Nathan Chen (Men’s Singles - USA)

Nathan Chen’s 2022 gold medal reel is a masterclass in athletic redemption. After a disappointing performance in 2018, his "Rocketman" free skate in Beijing became one of the most-watched skating videos in Olympic history. Highlight reels of Chen focus on his five successfully landed quadruple jumps. In 2026, viewers still study this footage for the "Chen efficiency"—his ability to generate massive rotational force with minimal preparation time. The reels typically highlight his quad flip-triple toe loop combination, which set the tone for his record-breaking score.

Anna Shcherbakova (Women’s Singles - ROC)

The women’s singles reels from 2022 are historically significant due to the surrounding technical and controversy-laden atmosphere. Anna Shcherbakova’s gold-medal highlights showcase her incredible resilience and technical consistency. While much of the media attention at the time was on the team event drama, Shcherbakova’s individual reel focuses on her two quadruple flips. These highlights are essential for understanding the evolution of women's figure skating, particularly the shift toward high-difficulty quad elements that dominated the 2022 podium.

Sui Wenjing and Han Cong (Pairs - China)

Winning gold on home ice, Sui Wenjing and Han Cong’s highlight reel is perhaps the most emotional of the 2022 skating collection. Their free skate to "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is often edited into "cinematic" highlights. Key moments to look for in their reel include the quad twist lift—a rare and incredibly difficult element that separated them from the silver medalists by a mere 0.63 points.

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron (Ice Dance - France)

For fans of artistry, the Papadakis and Cizeron highlight reels are a staple. Their gold-medal performance in Ice Dance broke world records. Unlike the singles reels, which focus on jumps, these highlights emphasize "edge work" and "synchronicity." The slow-motion edits of their rotational lifts and synchronized twizzles are frequently used in coaching clinics to demonstrate perfect "ice coverage" and flow.

U.S. figure skaters to receive 2022 gold medals in Paris ceremony : NPR
U.S. figure skaters to receive 2022 gold medals in Paris ceremony : NPR

Speed Skating: Records and Resilience

Speed skating highlight reels from 2022 are defined by the cutting-edge technology of the "Ice Ribbon" (the National Speed Skating Oval) and the record-breaking performances of several veteran athletes. These reels are often categorized by distance (e.g., 500m, 5,000m, 10,000m).

Nils van der Poel (5,000m and 10,000m - Sweden)

Nils van der Poel’s 2022 highlights are essential viewing for endurance sports fans. His 10,000m gold medal reel, where he broke his own world record, is a study in "lap time consistency." Most highlight packages for Van der Poel use a split-screen view, comparing his current lap against the world-record pace. It is a grueling, tactical display that culminated in one of the most dominant victories in Olympic speed skating history.

Ireen Wüst and Irene Schouten (Netherlands)

The Dutch dominance in 2022 was personified by Ireen Wüst and Irene Schouten. Wüst’s 1,500m gold reel is historic, as it made her the first athlete to win individual gold medals at five different Olympics. Meanwhile, Irene Schouten’s highlight reel covers her three gold medals (3,000m, 5,000m, and Mass Start). These reels are often compiled into a "Dutch Excellence" package, showcasing the technical "klap skate" transitions and cornering efficiency that make the Netherlands a powerhouse in the sport.

Short Track Speed Skating: High-Stakes Highlights

Short track highlights are notoriously chaotic and exciting. The 2022 reels are famous for photo finishes and tactical maneuvering.

  • Suzanne Schulting (Netherlands): Her 1,000m gold medal reel is a highlight of defensive skating and explosive speed.
  • Shaoang Liu (Hungary): Highlights of the 500m sprint show his remarkable "block-passing" technique and acceleration out of the final turn.

Because short track is prone to disqualifications and crashes, the best highlight reels include the "top-down" officiating camera views, which provide clarity on why certain medals were awarded.

2022 Olympic Skating Gold Medalists Summary Table

Event Gold Medalist(s) Country Highlight Feature
Men's Figure Skating Nathan Chen USA 5 Quad Jumps / "Rocketman"
Women's Figure Skating Anna Shcherbakova ROC Quadruple Flip Accuracy
Pairs Figure Skating Sui Wenjing / Han Cong China Quad Twist Lift
Ice Dance G. Papadakis / G. Cizeron France World Record Score / Synchronicity
Men's 10,000m Speed Skating Nils van der Poel Sweden World Record / Endurance Tactics
Women's 1,500m Speed Skating Ireen Wüst Netherlands 5th Consecutive Games Gold
Women's Mass Start Irene Schouten Netherlands Tactical Sprint Finish
Figure Skating Team Event Team USA* USA Combined Team Excellence

*Note: Following the conclusion of legal proceedings regarding the ROC team in 2024, the gold medal for the 2022 Team Event was officially redistributed to the United States. Highlight reels produced after 2024 reflect this change.

Navigating the 2022 Figure Skating Team Event Controversy

When searching for "2022 gold medal winner highlight reels," you will encounter two versions of the Team Event highlights. The original 2022 broadcast footage shows the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) celebrating in the first-place position. However, due to the disqualification of Kamila Valieva (retroactive to December 2021), the International Skating Union (ISU) and the IOC updated the official records.

In 2026, the "correct" gold medal highlight reel for the Team Event features the United States. These updated reels often include footage from the special medal ceremony held later to honor the American team. If you are researching this for historical accuracy, look for "2024 Revised Medal Standings" or "Team USA 2022 Gold Ceremony" to find the definitive documentation of this outcome.

Technical Analysis of the Highlight Footage

To get the most out of these reels, it is helpful to understand the technical jargon used by commentators. High-quality 2022 reels often include graphical overlays that explain:

  1. Revolution Count: In figure skating reels, you will see a "3T" or "4F" graphic. The "4" denotes a quadruple jump (four rotations in the air).
  2. GOE (Grade of Execution): This is a score from -5 to +5 that indicates how well a specific element was performed. Gold medalists typically have GOE scores in the +3 to +5 range.
  3. Split Times: In speed skating, the highlight reel will often show "delta" times. A green delta means the skater is ahead of the current leader's pace, while a red delta means they are behind.
  4. Track Strategy: In short track reels, watch the "inside line." Gold medalists are masters of guarding the shortest path around the corner to prevent opponents from passing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find 4K 2022 Olympic skating highlights?

Most 4K footage is restricted to the Olympics.com "Premium" archive or high-end broadcasting partners like NHK (Japan) and NBC (USA). While YouTube supports 4K, many of the 2022 highlight uploads are capped at 1080p to save bandwidth for global viewers. For the highest fidelity, use the official Olympic app on a 2026-era Smart TV.

Why are some 2022 highlight reels blocked in my country?

Olympic footage is subject to "geofencing." This means the IOC grants exclusive rights to a broadcaster in your region. If you cannot view a video on the official YouTube channel, it is likely because a local network (like CBC in Canada or Seven Network in Australia) owns the exclusive digital rights to that footage in your territory.

Are there highlight reels specifically for the Gala Exhibition?

Yes. The "Exhibition Gala" is a non-competitive event where gold medalists perform artistic routines without the pressure of scoring. These reels are highly popular on social media and can usually be found by searching "2022 Beijing Figure Skating Gala Highlights." These performances often feature props, costumes, and music that would be prohibited in the official competition.

How do I find the full scores alongside the highlight reels?

The most efficient way to match scores with video is to use the ISU (International Skating Union) results portal. You can cross-reference the "Protocol" (the official score sheet) with the video to see exactly which elements earned the gold medal.

Is there a highlight reel of all the gold medalists in one video?

Yes, the IOC typically releases a "Beijing 2022: All Gold Medals" montage. This is a fast-paced video that spends about 10–15 seconds on each winner across all sports, including skating. For a skating-specific montage, search for "2022 Olympic Skating All Champions Recap."

Practical Recommendation for Viewers

If you are looking for the most comprehensive and high-quality viewing experience, start with the Olympics.com Video Section. Search specifically for the "Full Replay" of the event you are interested in (e.g., "Men's Single Skating Free Skating"). While highlight reels are excellent for a quick overview, the full replays provide the context of the tension, the scores of the competitors, and the "slow-build" energy that leads to a gold-medal victory.

For the most updated information regarding the 2022 team event medals and updated 2026 record books, always refer to the official International Olympic Committee newsroom to ensure you are viewing the legally recognized gold medalists.