Ilia Malinin says 'the strongest may be fighting invisible battles' after heartbreaking finish at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
By Leon Imber
Published 16/02/2026 at 19:56 GMT
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Ilia Malinin has shared a social media post saying "the strongest may be fighting invisible battles" after he suffered heartbreak with an uncharacteristically error-strewn display in the men's singles event at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Malinin was favourite for gold, but popped a number of jumps as he finished in eighth place. The Winter Olympics is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Malinin suffers Olympics HORROR - 'Can't believe what we've just seen'
Video credit: TNT Sports
US figure skating superstar Ilia Malinin shared a post on Monday saying "those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles" following his eighth-placed finish in the men's singles.
The 21-year-old, who is a two-time world champion and had developed something of a reputation for being unflappable under pressure, was visibly upset by his display on Friday, as he fell twice in his free skate routine and finished 15th - ending his medal hopes after placing first in the short program.
He said in a post on Instagram: "On the world’s biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside. Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise.
"Vile online hatred attacks the mind, and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless, insurmountable pressure.
"It all builds up as these moments flash before your eyes, resulting in an inevitable crash. This is that version of the story."
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Malinin suffers Olympics HORROR - 'Can't believe what we've just seen'
Video credit: TNT Sports
The post was accompanied by a video showing Malinin celebrating several victories on the ice, cutting to an image of him holding his head in his hands after Friday's performance.
The video ended by reading "21 February 2026", which appeared to reference the Olympic exhibition gala - which reports have said he will feature in.
Nicknamed the "Quad God" due to his unmatched ability to hit the quadruple axel, the American popped his signature move.
"I blew it," Malinin told NBC afterwards. "That's honestly the first thing that came to my mind. There's no way that just happened. I was preparing the whole season and was so confident in my programme, so confident with everything. I have no words really.
"All the traumatic moments of my life really just started flooding my head, and there were just so many negative thoughts that flooded in there. And I just did not handle it.
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'I'm speechless' - Malinin 'in shock' after Olympic difficulties
Video credit: TNT Sports
"People only realize the pressure and the nerves that actually happen on the inside. It was really just something that overwhelmed me," he said. "I just felt like I had no control."
Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov finished first to claim his nation's maiden figure skating gold medal, while Japan's Kagiyama Yuma and Sato Shun took silver and bronze.
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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