Ilia Malinin writes about ‘inevitable crash’ after Olympic figure skating shock

February 16, 2026

TL;DR

Ilia Malinin experienced a significant upset at the Winter Olympics, missing the podium after being a favorite for gold.
He fell twice during his free skate routine, finishing 15th in the free skate and eighth overall.
Malinin posted a video on Instagram reflecting on the "inevitable crash," citing "invisible battles," "vile online hatred," and "endless insurmountable pressure."
He described being overwhelmed by nerves and negative thoughts before his routine.
Malinin did win a team gold medal with the United States during the Games.
The video hinted at themes of psychology and the impact of digital communication on mental state.

Continue reading the original article