Figure skater Nathan Chen scored a career-best 111.71 in the men's short program to put the U.S. in top spot at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China, on Friday.
The big picture: Chen's actions leaving Team USA well placed for a medal were among many highlights from the Beijing Games day 0 action ahead of the opening ceremonies later Friday, which mark the official launch of the event.
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Italy's Matteo Marsaglia takes part in the men's Winter Olympics downhill second training session at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing, China on Feb. 4. Photo: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images
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Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier of Team USA in the Pair Skating Short Program Team Event during the Winter Olympics at Capital Indoor Stadium on Feb. 4 in Beijing. Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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Malene Frandsen, #89 of Denmark, celebrates a goal in the first period of their Women's Preliminary Round Group B match against China at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb. 4 in Beijing, China. Photo: Song Yanhua - Pool/Getty Images
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American Chris Mazdzer takes part in the men's singles luge training session at the Yanqing National Sliding Centre in Yanqing, China, on Feb. 4. Photo: Daniel Mihailescu/AFP via Getty Images
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Canada's Rachel Homan (L) curls the stone during the mixed doubles round robin session 5 game of the Winter Olympic curling competition against Switzerland,at the National Aquatics Centre in Beijing on Feb. 4. Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images
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Jamie Anderson of Team USA performs a trick during the Olympic Snowboard Slopestyle Training session ahead of the at the Genting Snow Park on Feb. 4 in Zhangjiakou, China. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
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Editor's note: This article has been updated with more photos and further details of Chen's achievement.