{"id":224499,"date":"2026-02-22T18:41:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T18:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/22\/ilia-malinin-reflects-on-really-important-gala-skate-at-2026-olympics\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T18:41:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T18:41:49","slug":"ilia-malinin-reflects-on-really-important-gala-skate-at-2026-olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/22\/ilia-malinin-reflects-on-really-important-gala-skate-at-2026-olympics\/","title":{"rendered":"Ilia Malinin Reflects on \u2018Really Important\u2019 Gala Skate at 2026 Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Ilia Malinin<\/strong> is reflecting on his \u201credemption skate\u201d at the 2026 Winter Olympics<\/a> after his shocking 8th place finish.<\/p>\n

When asked by a reporter<\/a> how \u201cimportant\u201d it was to be at the Gala Skate, Malinin, 21, replied, \u201cIt just was really important especially for what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, it\u2019s just something that we go through as athletes, as people. It\u2019s just all this constant voices, these attention, the pressure, just everything forced upon you,\u201d he said on Saturday, February 21. \u201cIt\u2019s very hard to deal with and honestly it\u2019s what makes us very special, very grateful for what we can do. Really it\u2019s just the reason why I wanted to go back out there. Just give it a redemption skate, just prove them all wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

While looking back at the Olympics, Malinin \u2014 nicknamed the \u201cQuad God\u201d \u2014 noted that his experience has changed him in \u201cmany ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Ilia Malinin Had ‘Traumatic’ Thoughts Before Shocking 8th Place Finish<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tAfter a heartbreaking performance in the men\u2019s free skate final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, figure skating phenom Ilia Malinin said he felt \u201coverwhelmed\u201d in the moment. \u201cIt was really just something that overwhelmed me, and I just felt like I had no control,\u201d Malinin said on Friday, February 13, after his shocking eight place [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI think that now I\u2019ve really understood my purpose in skating, and that is just to bring joy and happiness to the people that enjoy watching me,\u201d he said. \u201cSo that\u2019s what I\u2019m going to be doing for the rest of my career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier in the games, Malinin missed the podium after a series of mistakes<\/a> during the men\u2019s free skate on February 13. He ultimately earned eighth place despite being a gold medal favorite. Kazakhstan\u2019s Mikhail Shaidorov<\/strong> ultimately took home gold, with Japan\u2019s Yuma Kagiyama<\/strong> earning silver and Shun Sato<\/strong>, also from Japan, receiving bronze.<\/p>\n

Malinin took the ice for one last time at the 2026 Olympics on Saturday for the exhibition gala, where there was no judging and no medals<\/a> \u2014 instead, just an opportunity to entertain.<\/p>\n

He sported a dark sweatshirt and distressed jeans, performing to \u201cFear\u201d by NF.\u201d Malinin previously shared that his routine would represent the negative impact social media has on the younger generation\u2019s mental health. Malinin completed his signature backflip, which was illegal from 1977 to 2024, and became visibly emotional.<\/a><\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Figure Skater Ilia Malinin Speaks Out After Falling in Olympic Free Skate<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tDays after he stumbled during his 2026 Olympics free skate, Ilia Malinin is taking some time to reflect. \u201cOn the world\u2019s biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside,\u201d the figure skater, 21, captioned a montage of highlights via Instagram on Monday, February 16. \u201cEven your happiest [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cOn the world\u2019s biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside,\u201d Malinin wrote after he failed to podium. \u201cEven your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise. Vile online hatred attacks the and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n

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