MILAN — The figure skating community is reeling from Ilia Malinin’s unexpected performance at the Milan Cortina Olympics, where the reigning favorite faltered, leaving fans and experts alike searching for answers. Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” faced overwhelming pressure as he entered the event as the clear favorite for gold, yet he ended up stumbling through his routine, accruing 72 points in deductions and falling from first to eighth place. Notably, he was unable to successfully execute his signature quadruple axel, and he suffered a fall during his quadruple lutz attempt.
Scott Hamilton, the 1984 Olympic gold medalist and NBC Sports Olympic correspondent, expressed his disbelief, stating, “There was no way he could lose… He’s unbeatable.” Hamilton had previously stated that Malinin would win by a significant margin, a prediction that proved wholly inaccurate on competition night.
Fellow Olympian Nathan Chen, who experienced his own struggles at the 2018 Olympics, empathized with Malinin’s plight. Chen recalled the immense pressure he felt in 2018, drawing parallels to Malinin’s unfortunate evening. “It’s a tough setting, and you can feel the crowd’s reaction,” Chen said, emphasizing the psychological challenge athletes face when expectations run high. He noted that Malinin’s performance seemed to reflect a mindset hampered by pressure, particularly when he opted for a single jump instead of attempting the more difficult quadruple axel.
Following the competition, Malinin acknowledged the weight of expectations he carried. “All of this pressure, all of the media, and just being the Olympic gold hopeful was a lot,” he admitted, revealing the emotional toll it took on him.
NBC Sports analyst Tara Lipinski commented on the mental aspects of Malinin’s performance. “It was all mental,” she stated, suggesting that his technical execution was secondary to the psychological barriers he faced. The 21-year-old athlete entered the competition with a history of success, having dominated numerous international events and clinched titles at the last two World Championships along with three consecutive Grand Prix finals and U.S. Championships.
Commenting on the intense emotional landscape of Olympic competition, NBC Sports’ Johnny Weir stated, “Every little athlete … dreams about that moment.” He articulated the burden of performance pressure that can invoke intense reactions from crowds and significantly affect athletes’ mental states during pivotal moments.
Despite this setback, there remains hope for Malinin’s future. Athletes often learn from experiences like these, potentially emerging stronger and more resilient. The figure skating world will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how Malinin responds to this challenge as the games continue.