Figure Skater Ilia Malinin Plans to Visit Cat Cafe Before Leaving 2026 Olympics

The 21-year-old Olympic gold medalist is looking forward to reuniting with his two cats back home in Virginia.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Ilia Malinin, the 21-year-old figure skater who won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, has one more goal before he leaves the games - visiting a cat cafe. Malinin, who has two cats waiting for him back home in Vienna, Virginia, says he's really missing his pets and would love to spend time with some feline friends at a cat cafe during his final days in Italy. In addition to the cat cafe visit, Malinin will also be performing in the figure skating Exhibition Gala on the final day of the Olympics, where he plans to showcase a routine focused on the importance of mental health for athletes.

Why it matters

Malinin's desire to visit a cat cafe before leaving the Olympics speaks to the importance of self-care and finding comfort in the midst of the high-pressure environment of the games. As an elite athlete, Malinin has faced immense scrutiny and attention, which can take a toll on one's mental health. His plan to highlight mental health in his Exhibition Gala performance also sheds light on an important issue facing many Olympic competitors.

The details

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Malinin shared his plans to visit a cat cafe in Milan before returning to the U.S. The 21-year-old figure skater, who is the proud owner of two cats named Mysti and Miu Miu back home, says he's really missing his pets and thinks a cat cafe visit would provide some much-needed comfort and relaxation before his departure. In addition to the cat cafe, Malinin will also be performing in the figure skating Exhibition Gala on the final day of the Olympics, where he plans to showcase a routine focused on the importance of mental health for athletes who face intense pressure and scrutiny.

  • Malinin will be performing in the figure skating Exhibition Gala on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Ilia Malinin

A 21-year-old figure skater who won a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Mysti

Malinin's black cat that he owns back home in Vienna, Virginia.

Miu Miu

Malinin's white cat that he owns back home in Vienna, Virginia.

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What they’re saying

“A cat cafe would be fun. I'm really missing my cats right now, so I would love to go to a cat cafe.”

— Ilia Malinin, Figure Skater (people.com)

“It's honestly just a nice thing. Skating in galas is different from competitions because the environment is different and the goal of the skate itself is completely different. ... In the gala, it's really just free emotions and can really show whatever you want and anything you want. So that's why I really enjoy more like show skating instead of, you know, competitive.”

— Ilia Malinin, Figure Skater (people.com)

“There's so many things that people don't see. It's, you know, not a pleasant feeling to deal with all of these things, but it's what makes us human. It's what makes us really strong and brave and I think that's the message I want to give out for this performance.”

— Ilia Malinin, Figure Skater (people.com)

What’s next

Malinin will perform in the figure skating Exhibition Gala on Saturday, February 22, 2026, where he plans to showcase a routine focused on the importance of mental health for athletes.

The takeaway

Ilia Malinin's desire to visit a cat cafe before leaving the 2026 Winter Olympics highlights the importance of self-care and finding comfort amidst the high-pressure environment of elite sports. His plan to use his Exhibition Gala performance to shine a light on mental health issues facing athletes also demonstrates his commitment to using his platform to make a positive impact.