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Team USA figure skating star Ilia Malinin offered a reminder to critics of Olympic athletes’ participation in the Milan Cortina Games on Monday.
Malinin finished in eighth place in the men’s singles competition on Friday, following two falls in what was expected to be his event to lose. In a post on his Instagram, Malinin raised awareness about the mental toll of elite competition.
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Ilia Malinin of the United States competes during the men’s free skate program in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
“On the world’s biggest stage, those who seem strongest may still be fighting invisible battles inside,” he wrote in the post. “Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by noise. Vile online hate attacks the mind and fear draws it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless, insurmountable pressure.
“It all builds up as these moments flash before your eyes, resulting in inevitable collapse. This is that version of the story.”
Malinin announced his next performance at the traditional exhibition gala that closes the Olympic figure skating program. The event will take place on February 21.
Ilia Malinin of the United States reacts after competing while Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan is seen at left while waiting for scores during the men’s free skate program in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Malinin, who won gold in the team event, acknowledged the pressure she felt heading into the free skate portion of the event.
“I didn’t really know how to handle it,” he said Friday.
He is expected to compete for his third consecutive world title in Prague next month. He had been undefeated in 14 events for more than two years and earned the nickname “Quad God” for his nearly impossible moves on the ice.
The 21-year-old was praised for his graciousness in defeat.
“The nerves just went away, so overwhelming,” she said, “and especially taking that initial stance, I felt like all the traumatic moments in my life really started to flood into my head. So many negative thoughts flooded in there and I couldn’t handle it.”
Ilia Malinin of the United States falls during the men’s free skate program in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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“All I know is that it wasn’t my best skate and it was definitely something I wasn’t expecting. And it’s done, so I can’t go back and change it, even though I would love to.”
