Ilia Malinin Falls Twice, Misses Olympic Medal; Kazakhstan Wins Gold

American figure skater Ilia Malinin had a tough day at the Olympics, falling twice in his free skate. He did not reach the podium. Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan won the gold medal.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

High Stakes for Figure Skating Favorite

Ilia Malinin, the highly favored American figure skater, experienced a shocking outcome at the Milan Cortina Olympics, falling twice during his free skate program and ultimately missing the podium. This unexpected performance allowed Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan to secure the gold medal, a result that has surprised many in the sport. Malinin, known for his difficult jumps, appeared visibly distressed after his skate, a stark contrast to his usual strong showings. The pressure of being a top contender seemed to weigh heavily as he struggled to execute planned elements.

'I blew it': Malinin falls twice in Olympic shocker - 1

Context of the Competition

The men's figure skating final, held on Friday, February 13, 2026, was a highly anticipated event. Malinin, often referred to as the "Quad God" for his prowess with quadruple jumps, had entered the competition with a lead from the short program. He had demonstrated remarkable consistency and skill leading up to this final skate, including a stunning backflip in an earlier event.

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'I blew it': Malinin falls twice in Olympic shocker - 2

  • Pre-Competition Status: Malinin was considered a strong favorite for the gold medal, with many expecting a duel between him and Japan's Yuma Kagiyama.

  • Team Event Success: Malinin had also contributed to Team USA's gold medal victory in the team event prior to the individual competition.

  • Planned Elements: His program included a variety of quadruple jumps, including a planned quad axel, though he did not attempt this most difficult jump in the free skate.

Evidence of Performance

Multiple sources confirm Malinin's falls and their impact on his final standing.

'I blew it': Malinin falls twice in Olympic shocker - 3

  • Falls: Reports consistently state that Malinin fell twice during his free skate routine.

  • One fall occurred on a quad lutz attempt.

  • Another involved a planned quad loop that was reduced to a double, disrupting his timing.

  • Score Impact: These errors significantly impacted his score, with one report noting a loss of approximately 72 points due to the falls alone.

  • Final Placement: Malinin finished in eighth place, a considerable drop from his favored position.

  • Winner: Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan won the gold medal with a score of 291.58 points, marking a historic achievement for his country. Yuma Kagiyama secured silver, and Shun Sato took bronze.

Malinin's Reaction and State of Mind

Following the competition, Malinin expressed his disappointment directly.

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'I blew it': Malinin falls twice in Olympic shocker - 4

  • Self-Assessment: He was quoted as saying, "I blew it," indicating his acknowledgment of the uncharacteristic errors.

  • Emotional Response: Witnesses described Malinin as looking "shell-shocked," with his head in his hands as his routine concluded. He also reportedly struggled to hold back tears and was seen with his cheeks puffed out, possibly to suppress crying, as he skated off the ice.

  • Focus and Nerves: Malinin mentioned feeling "overwhelming nerves" at the start of his routine and questioned whether "over-confidence" might have led to a lapse in focus. Despite being calm during warm-ups and practice, the pressure of the Olympic stage appeared to affect his performance.

Contrasting Performances

The event highlighted a stark difference between Malinin's performance and that of the eventual champion.

SkaterKey Performance ElementsOutcome
Ilia Malinin- Fell twice (quad lutz, quad loop)- Finished 8th place
- Doubled planned quadruple jumps- Missed the podium
- Led after the short program- Expressed regret: "I blew it"
Mikhail Shaidorov- Executed his program successfully- Won gold medal
- Achieved a career-best score- Historic first Olympic figure skating gold for Kazakhstan
- Delivered a "skate of his life"- Caused one of the biggest upsets in the sport

Expert and Observer Commentary

Commentators and analysts noted the unpredictable nature of the Olympics and Malinin's status as a human athlete.

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"It's the Olympics. So that's what happens." - Ilia Malinin, quoted after the event.

"Especially for somebody like Ilia, he's coming in with all of the expectation in the world on his shoulders, and I think Ilia showed us today that while he is this incredible athlete, he is a human being just like all of us, and it just wasn't his day." - Unattributed observer, cited in reports.

Conclusion and Implications

Ilia Malinin's performance at the Milan Cortina Olympics resulted in an unexpected eighth-place finish, a significant deviation from pre-competition expectations. The two falls in his free skate program were decisive factors, allowing Mikhail Shaidorov to claim a historic gold medal for Kazakhstan. This event serves as a potent reminder of the inherent unpredictability of high-stakes athletic competitions. For Malinin, the experience represents a personal setback, but his candid admission and the support offered suggest a focus on future recovery and performance. The Olympic stage once again proved that form on the day is paramount, and even the most dominant athletes can experience challenging moments.

Key Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Ilia Malinin at the Olympics?
Ilia Malinin fell two times during his free skate program. This meant he could not win a medal.
Q: Who won the gold medal in men's figure skating?
Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan won the gold medal. This was a big surprise for many people.
Q: How did Malinin feel about his performance?
Malinin said he was very disappointed. He said, "I blew it." He also felt a lot of nerves before his skate.