Ilia Malinin Delays Press Conference After Eighth-Place Olympic Finish
Ilia Malinin, the American figure skating star, postponed his scheduled press conference after a disappointing eighth-place finish at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The event took place at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on February 13, 2026.
Unexpected Performance at the Olympics
Malinin entered the competition as a strong favorite for the gold medal. However, his performance fell short of expectations. He fell twice during his routine, leading to a score of 156.33, significantly below his personal best.
Competition Overview
- Date: February 13, 2026
- Location: Milano Ice Skating Arena, Milan, Italy
- Final Score: 156.33
- Personal Best: 333.81
- World Record: 238.24
The competition was marked by Malinin’s early success with a quad-flip. Unfortunately, he struggled thereafter, opting for a single axel and failing on a quad Lutz attempt, among other missteps.
Podium Results
- Gold: Mikhail Shaidorov (Kazakhstan) – 291.58
- Silver: Yuma Kagiyama (Japan)
- Bronze: Shun Sato (Japan)
Malinin’s Reflections on Pressure
Following the event, Malinin expressed the overwhelming pressure he felt as a gold medal contender. He mentioned that memories and thoughts flooded his mind before his performance, which may have hindered his execution.
“The pressure of the Olympics is different, and I think not a lot of people understand that,” he told NBC Washington. Despite feeling confident beforehand, he described how the experience felt rushed, leaving him little time to process.
Team USA’s Reaction
Malinin’s finish led to disappointment among his teammates and fans, as many were hopeful for a medal. His recent successes leading up to the Olympics raised expectations, making his eighth-place finish even more surprising.
Malinin’s journey in figure skating continues as he reflects on this setback. He acknowledged the growth and experiences that shaped his career since being overlooked for the Beijing Olympics four years ago.
