Ilia Malinin places 8th after falling twice in Olympic free skate - ESPN

ESPN

by D'Arcy Maine

February 14, 2026

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Ilia Malinin, the American figure skating sensation known as "Quad God," suffered a stunning fall from grace at the Olympics after struggling with nerves and making multiple mistakes during his free skate. Despite entering the competition as the favorite and holding a five-point lead after the short program, Malinin fell twice in his final performance, leading to a disappointing eighth-place finish. Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov capitalized on Malinin's失误, claiming the gold medal in a shocking upset. Malinin admitted that the weight of expectations and overwhelming nerves led to his unraveling, with traumatic memories and negative thoughts flooding his mind during the crucial moments. Malinin had been nearly unbeatable in recent years, winning two world championships and maintaining an undefeated streak since 2023. However, the pressure of performing on the Olympic stage proved too much for him. After a strong opening jump, Malinin struggled with key elements of his routine, including a failed quad axel attempt and a fall during a planned combination jump. His mental state deteriorated visibly as he walked off the ice, appearing disbelieving and emotional. The incident highlights the challenges of balancing immense talent with the psychological demands of elite sports. While Mal

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/14/2026