The 2026 Winter Olympics proved a tough test for American figure skating sensation Ilia Malinin. He kicked off his campaign in the team event, dazzling with a 2nd place finish in the short program and a commanding 1st in the free skate, propelling Team USA to gold. Hopes soared as he entered the men’s singles, widely tipped to claim another Olympic title.
Yet fate had other plans for Malinin, who ultimately finished 8th overall, turning his Olympic debut into a bittersweet memory.
Ilia Malinin on His Mindset After Milan
Malinin entered the Games with a strong 2025-26 season, during which he won gold at the World Championships in Boston and claimed his third consecutive Grand Prix Final gold medal, establishing himself as one of the best figure skaters in the world.
In the men’s singles, Malinin surged ahead in the short program with a leading score of 108.16 points. But two falls and downgraded jumps in the free skate dashed his hopes, leaving him with 264.49 points and an 8th-place finish. Afterward, he took time to reflect on the experience:
“I didn’t understand how much that you know pressure was really gonna get to me. I definitely thought I had it under control and I was gonna be there… but for some reason, I really didn’t understand it.”
He also spoke about his mental thoughts after the event, adding, “We’re also human beings. It’s something that I want to push out to the world: I might be an athlete, I may be an artist, but I’m also human.”
During the conversation, Malinin revealed he is now considering working with a sports therapist, a step he once thought unnecessary but now sees as vital for his growth.
Malinin on Winning Gold With Team USA
In the figure skating team event, standout performances came from many, including the likes of Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, as well as Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who put on strong displays to secure the gold medal for Team USA.
“Sharing that with them is so meaningful for me,” Malinin said about his teammates. “I just wanted to go out there and show them that I have their back. It’s quite meaningful for me. Medals don’t really define who you are. It’s just something that I want to take more as something, you know, not the Olympics, but just another performance.”
Next, all eyes turn to the 2026 World Championships in March, where Malinin will aim to defend his crown and reclaim his winning momentum.
