Ilia Malinin breaks silence after Olympic heartbreak, citing 'invisible battles'

The American figure skating star opened up about the mental toll of competing at the Olympics.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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American figure skating star Ilia Malinin spoke out on Instagram days after his disappointing free skate performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he finished eighth despite being the heavy gold medal favorite. Malinin, known as the "Quad God," cited "invisible battles" and "vile online hatred" that built up pressure and led to an "inevitable crash" during his Olympic debut.

Why it matters

Malinin's candid comments shed light on the immense mental and emotional challenges elite athletes face, even those who appear the strongest on the outside. His openness about the "darkness" and "endless insurmountable pressure" he experienced highlights the need for greater support and understanding of athletes' well-being, especially on the world's biggest stages.

The details

Malinin was widely expected to win the men's figure skating gold medal after a dazzling short program that put him five points ahead of the next-closest skater. However, he unraveled in the free skate, falling multiple times and not executing his signature quadruple jumps. He lost 72 points due to the uncharacteristic mistakes in what he called a "crazy" and "really different" Olympic atmosphere.

  • Malinin spoke out on his Instagram on Monday, February 16, 2026.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics men's figure skating free skate took place on Friday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Ilia Malinin

A 21-year-old American figure skater known as the "Quad God" for his mastery of quadruple jumps. He was the heavy favorite to win the men's figure skating gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“On the world's biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside.”

— Ilia Malinin (Instagram)

“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.”

— Ilia Malinin (Instagram)

What’s next

Malinin could join the exhibition gala on February 21, 2026, where medal-winning skaters will perform, despite his eighth-place finish in the men's event.

The takeaway

Malinin's emotional and vulnerable comments highlight the immense mental and emotional toll that elite athletes, even the most dominant ones, can face when competing on the world's biggest stage. His openness about the "invisible battles" he faced underscores the need for greater support and understanding of athletes' well-being in high-pressure environments.