Ilia Malinin's Surprising 8th Place Finish Stirs Figure Skating World
Ilia Malinin, a figure skater for Team USA, finished eighth in the men's singles competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Despite being favored for gold, Malinin struggled in his free skate after leading the short program.
Malinin's Performance
Known as the "quad god" for his ability to perform quadruple jumps, Malinin was a top contender at the Milano Cortina Games. However, during his final performance on February 13, he made multiple errors and fell twice.
Reactions from Peers
Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir, both commentators during the Olympics, praised Malinin's sportsmanship. Lipinski highlighted his grace in adversity, while Weir called him "one in a million."
Nathan Chen expressed surprise at Malinin's performance struggles, drawing parallels with his own Olympic experiences. Chen noted that the mental pressure could have affected Malinin.
Continued Support
Retired skater Elladj Baldé also supported Malinin, emphasizing the mental challenges of figure skating. He praised Malinin as an innovator who brings more to the sport than just jumping skills.
Despite the setback, there is optimism about Malinin's potential to learn from this experience and come back stronger in future competitions.
