Curry, Brady, and Others Rally Behind Malinin After Olympic Setback

Figure skater Ilia Malinin receives outpouring of support from sports icons after disappointing free skate performance at 2026 Winter Olympics.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Ilia Malinin, a top contender in men's figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, experienced a difficult night during the free skate final, with two significant falls that cost him a podium position. Despite the setback, Malinin was overwhelmed by the encouragement he received from prominent figures like Tom Brady, Stephen Curry, Simone Biles, and Snoop Dogg, which helped him cope with the disappointment.

Why it matters

Malinin's experience highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny that Olympic athletes face, as well as the importance of support from fellow athletes and public figures. The solidarity shown by sports icons like Curry and Brady underscores the shared challenges and resilience required to compete at the highest level.

The details

Malinin, known as the 'Quad God', attempted his signature quadruple axel but was unable to complete it, reverting instead to a single axel. This, combined with under rotations and missed jump combinations, caused him to place 15th in the free skate and fall to eighth place overall, scoring 156.33 points in the free skate and accumulating a final total of 264.49 in the competition.

  • On February 14, Malinin experienced the setback during the free skate final at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • In the days after the event, Malinin spoke about the outpouring of support he received from sports icons.

The players

Ilia Malinin

A 21-year-old figure skater who was a leading contender for gold in men's figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, known as the 'Quad God' for his mastery of quadruple jumps.

Tom Brady

A legendary NFL quarterback who reached out to Malinin to offer his support after the Olympics setback.

Stephen Curry

An NBA superstar who also reached out to Malinin to provide encouragement following his disappointing performance.

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What they’re saying

“I got so much love, so much support, and everyone was there for me. You know, had so many different people reach out to me, Tom Brady, Steph Curry, Simone Biles, Snoop. I'm honestly just honored for that, and I feel like it just made my day, honestly.”

— Ilia Malinin (NBC Sports)

What’s next

Malinin's youthful talent and previous world championships suggest he remains a formidable figure in figure skating, and the experience at the 2026 Olympics may serve as a critical learning moment as he prepares for future competitions.

The takeaway

Malinin's experience underscores the intense pressure and scrutiny that Olympic athletes face, as well as the importance of support from fellow athletes and public figures in helping them cope with setbacks. The solidarity shown by sports icons like Curry and Brady highlights the shared challenges and resilience required to compete at the highest level.