Olympics 2022 -- The Team USA athletes to watch in Beijing

The 2022 Beijing Olympics kicked off Friday morning with the opening ceremonies — and despite the questions and concerns surrounding the host country, the athletes participating are some of the most compelling Olympians to ever hit the ice and snow. With both legends and up-and-comers set to take center stage, here's who you'll want to watch over the next two weeks:

The Quad King is back to finish what he started four years ago in Pyeongchang, where he finished fifth after a calamitous short program. He got off to a flying start in the team event on Friday, scoring a personal best in the short program.

One thing to know: Chen, 22, went undefeated for three years after the 2018 Games and has beaten rival — and reigning two-time Olympic champion — Yuzuru Hanyu in every head-to-head meeting since.

One thing to watch: After finishing third at Skate America in October — his first loss since Pyeongchang — Chen went back to the programs he used in 2019-20. His free skate, set to an Elton John medley, is a crowd favorite.

Post worth seeing:

A post shared by Nathan Chen (@nathanwchen)

Ninth time's the charm for Mariah Bell. The 25-year-old finally won gold at the U.S. championships this season after eight previous attempts. She will become the oldest U.S. women's figure skater to compete at the Olympics in nearly a century.

One thing to know: One of her coaches is 2018 Olympian Adam Rippon, who previously trained alongside Bell and Nathan Chen. She says Rippon — and her German shepherd puppy, Nala — help her keep things in perspective.

One thing to watch: Her free skate, set to k.d. lang's cover of «Hallelujah,» is stunning in its beauty and emotion. We're not crying, you are!

Post worth seeing:

A post shared by Mariah Bell