TNT Sports
Ilia Malinin shock performance at 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games an 'example of what pressure can do to a human', says Mark Hanretty
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Published 13/02/2026 at 23:42 GMT
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Ilia Malinin had been seen as a potential great in the sport before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. He held a five-point advantage going into the free skate on Friday night. However, a display full of so many errors that it was "inconceivable" meant the 21-year-old American finished in a surprise, lowly eighth place. Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+.
'I'm speechless' - Malinin 'in shock' after Olympic difficulties
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports commentator Mark Hanretty said that Ilia Malinin’s shock performance at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics free skating event was "inconceivable".
The 21-year-old American is seen as one of the greatest the sport has ever produced and was the overwhelming favourite going into the event.
He had a five-point lead entering the free skate after doing well in the short program, and was the last to go.
However, Malinin fell twice and popped three jumps - including a quadruple axle - and seemed visibly distraught by the time he had completed his routine.
It was nevertheless a surprise when he placed in eighth, well down the pack, and Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan claimed the gold medal.
Afterwards, the American said he "blew it" as the pressure of the occasion got to him.
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'Mark of a champion' as beaten Malinin congratulates gold medallist Shaidorov
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hanretty reflected on the shock and laid out just how baffling the situation was.
He said: "Inconceivable is the perfect description for what has just happened because all eyes were expectant.
"It wasn't even whether or not Ilia would win the event, but by what point difference he would have over the rest of the competition.
"He has been undefeated for the last two years. I was listening to many reports online about Ilia. Heading into the 2022 Olympics, he was not put on the US team. He said he was going to prove them wrong. That was the motivation for this athlete to come forward and dominate as he has done.
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Malinin 'doesn't disappoint' as he delivers another epic routine
Video credit: TNT Sports
"He has been absolutely dominant. He's had monstrous gaps over everybody else all season long. This, unfortunately, appears to be an example of what pressure can do to a human, and we've spoken about the resilience of many other athletes and their ability to succeed under pressure.
"Unfortunately, Ilia has proven that he is human, and it's really tough to see. I did hear him say earlier today in an interview that had he gone to Beijing in 2022, he then thinks that he might have retired after 2026. Now he's got to keep going.
"I think that was always going to be the plan, but it's just gob-smacking. He didn't do the quad axel, which he's renowned for. He did what we call 'pop' turned it into single which has a fraction of the value and then fell on a 'double salchow' which is something that's a novice skater element.
"So it's just a real example because interspersed within those huge mistakes were elements like quad flip and quad loops which were showcasing the brilliance that he's had but it was just four minutes of volatility.
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"When we were watching it, I was saying, 'Oh well, he's got so much in the bag, he'll pull it back,' and then to see he was 15th in that portion of the competition is just gob-smacking.
"Sometimes, when you're watching a figure skating event and there are 24 competitors, sometimes I notice that if the skates early on in the competition aren't going well, there is then an energy in the arena and in the changing room. It can make an impact, consequently.
"Mikhail Shaidorov's great skate then may have impacted the top contenders, thinking he just delivered. Subsequently, when the home favourite didn't skate so well, it changed the energy, and Malinin couldn't cut the tension, but it does beg the question as to why he imploded.
"There's been so much pressure on him, across all sports at these Games, so these are factors that you can never be prepared for.
"There are some athletes that really thrive with that extra layering [of scrutiny], and I think Ilia is one of them, but maybe on this occasion he's invited too much."
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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