MILAN – Ilia Malinin, the American figure skater dubbed the “Quad God,” concluded his Olympic debut with a cathartic gala performance Saturday, skating to the song “Fear” after a tumultuous week that saw him win team gold but finish eighth in the individual competition.
The 21-year-traditional’s performance came after a stunning free skate on Friday where he struggled with multiple falls and errors, effectively dashing his hopes for an individual medal. He had entered the Games as a strong favorite, having not lost a competition since November 2023. Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov ultimately claimed the gold medal.
Malinin’s week began with success, contributing to the United States’ victory in the team event. He secured a second-place finish in the men’s short program for the team competition and followed it up with a first-place finish in the men’s free skate, helping to clinch the gold for the U.S. Team by a single point. However, the pressure of the individual event appeared to weigh heavily on the skater.
“I just thought that all I needed to do was go out there and trust the process that I’ve always been doing with every competition,” Malinin said, visibly emotional after his free skate, according to the Associated Press. “But, of course, it’s not like any other competition. It’s the Olympics.”
The free skate was marked by a popped quadruple axel attempt and several stumbles, a stark contrast to his dominant form leading up to the Games. Following the performance, Malinin covered his face in anguish, shaking his head in disbelief. He acknowledged experiencing “Olympic nerves” during the team event, but the individual competition proved to be a more significant challenge.
During Saturday’s gala, Malinin skated with a message written on his hand: “Is this what you wanted?” according to USA Today. The gesture appeared to be a direct response to the intense scrutiny and expectations surrounding his performance. The gala performance was described as a moment of release for the skater, allowing him to express his emotions after a tough week.
The United States figure skating team’s success wasn’t limited to Malinin’s contributions. Amber Glenn also delivered a show-stopping performance in the Olympic gala, according to NBC Olympics.
Malinin’s next competitive steps remain unclear. He has not publicly announced his plans following the Olympics, leaving his future in the sport uncertain.
