Simone Biles Offers Support to Ilia Malinin After Disappointing Olympic Falls

The gymnast says she privately reached out to the figure skater, relating to his struggles with pressure at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Simone Biles, the 28-year-old gymnastics star, said she privately reached out to figure skater Ilia Malinin, 21, to offer support after his disappointing performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Malinin, dubbed the "Quad God," fell twice during the men's figure skating final, landing him in eighth place. Biles, who had her own struggles with the "twisties" at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said she knows what Malinin is going through and is confident he will bounce back. The two athletes later met up and joked about teaching each other their signature moves.

Why it matters

Biles' outreach to Malinin highlights the mental health challenges elite athletes face at major competitions, where the pressure to perform can be immense. Her empathy and support for a fellow competitor struggling with the spotlight underscores the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues in sports.

The details

Malinin, a Team USA frontrunner, had a disappointing performance in the men's figure skating final on Feb. 13, falling twice during his routine. This landed him in eighth place, as he fought back tears. Biles, who had a similar experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when she suffered from the "twisties," was able to privately reach out to Malinin and offer her support, relating to the struggles of handling the pressure of being a top athlete.

  • Malinin fell twice during the men's figure skating final on Feb. 13, 2026 at the Winter Olympics in Milan.
  • Biles interviewed with the Today show on Feb. 17, 2026, where she discussed reaching out to Malinin.

The players

Simone Biles

A 28-year-old American gymnast who struggled with the "twisties" at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, forcing her to withdraw from some events.

Ilia Malinin

A 21-year-old American figure skater, dubbed the "Quad God," who fell twice during the men's figure skating final at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, placing eighth.

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What they’re saying

“I've definitely had a chance to bump into him. I've sent him messages on Instagram as well, obviously, it's all been private because I know what he's going through and I know most athletes might not be able to relate, and it's really, really hard to watch.”

— Simone Biles (Today show)

“Honestly, it's not a pleasant feeling. The most honest way to say it is just a lot on you, so many eyes, so much attention not only from people, or fans, media, it's just so much and it really can get to you if you're not ready to fully embrace it.”

— Ilia Malinin (Today show)

What’s next

Malinin said he will be better prepared to handle the pressure leading up to the next Olympics, having learned from his experience in Milan.

The takeaway

Biles' outreach to Malinin demonstrates the importance of athletes supporting one another, especially when it comes to the mental health challenges of competing at the highest levels of their sport. Her empathy and understanding can help destigmatize these issues and encourage more open dialogue about the pressures faced by elite athletes.