Ilia Malinin hints at 'inevitable crash' amid Olympic pressure and online hate

The U.S. figure skater struggled in the individual event after helping the team win gold.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Ilia Malinin, the heavily favored U.S. figure skater, posted a video on social media hinting at an "inevitable crash" amid the pressure of the Olympics and online hate he has faced. Malinin fell twice and struggled throughout his free skate, finishing eighth after helping the U.S. team win gold earlier in the Winter Games. In his post, Malinin alluded to the weight of competing on the world's biggest stage, saying "even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise" and "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."

Why it matters

Malinin, who is expected to chase a third consecutive world title next month, had been unbeaten in 14 events over more than two years. His struggles at the Olympics highlight the immense pressure and scrutiny top athletes face, especially on social media, and how it can impact their mental health and performance, even for those who appear the strongest on the outside.

The details

Malinin posted a video juxtaposing images of his many triumphs with a black-and-white image of him with his head buried in his hands, hinting at an "inevitable crash." He acknowledged the pressure had worn him down, saying "I didn't really know how to handle it." Malinin alluded to "vile online hatred" and "endless insurmountable pressure" that built up, resulting in his poor performance where he fell twice and scored his worst result since September 2022.

  • Malinin posted the video on social media on Monday.
  • Malinin is expected to skate in the traditional exhibition gala to wrap up the Olympic figure skating program on Saturday.

The players

Ilia Malinin

A 21-year-old U.S. figure skater who helped the U.S. team win gold early in the Winter Games but struggled in the individual event, finishing eighth.

Mikhail Shaidorov

The surprise gold medalist in the individual figure skating event 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. 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)

“The nerves just went, so overwhelming, and especially going into that starting pose, I just felt like all the traumatic moments of my life really just started flooding my head. So many negative thoughts that flooded into there and I could not handle it.”

— Ilia Malinin (wjtv.com)

“All I know is that it wasn't my best skate, and it was definitely something I wasn't expecting. And it's done, so I can't go back and change it, even though I would love to.”

— Ilia Malinin (wjtv.com)

What’s next

Malinin is expected to chase a third consecutive world title next month in Prague.

The takeaway

Malinin's struggles at the Olympics, despite his past dominance, highlight the immense mental toll that the pressure and scrutiny of competing at the highest level can take on even the most talented athletes. His openness about the "vile online hatred" and "endless insurmountable pressure" he faced provides a window into the invisible battles many top athletes face.