Quad God Stumbles at Olympics, Finishes 8th

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Ilia Malinin, the 21-year-old American figure skating phenom known as the "Quad God" for his unmatched jumping ability, had a disastrous free skate performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, falling twice and completing just three of seven planned quadruple jumps. Malinin, who was favored to win gold, finished in 8th place, the lowest Olympic finish for a top American man since 2014.

Why it matters

Malinin's stunning collapse under the Olympic spotlight has raised questions about the immense pressure and expectations placed on young athletes, as well as the challenges of managing the Olympic environment. His performance has also highlighted the unpredictable nature of high-stakes competitions, where even the most dominant athletes can falter.

The details

Malinin needed only a solid free skate to secure the gold medal after his rivals stumbled. Instead, he fell twice, completed just three of seven planned quadruple jumps, and posted a score of 156.33 - far below the 183.43 that would have sealed the gold. Malinin said he felt like he had "no control" and that "all the traumatic moments" of his life "started flooding" his head as he took the ice.

• Malinin's free skate was his fourth in seven days, a demanding schedule for any skater.
• Malinin had not been selected for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, which may have cost him valuable seasoning under Olympic pressure.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Malinin has rejected blaming ice conditions or other related factors, saying his task now is to "regroup" and learn how to manage the Olympic environment for the future. He'll be 25 when the Winter Games move to Nice, France, in 2030.