Quad God Ilia Malinin of Team USA arrived at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina as the favorite who was certain to win the gold medal. However, after skating an exceptional short program during the first part of the men’s individual competition, disaster struck his free skate routine when he fell on the ice and then failed to complete his more difficult jump elements and instead opted to do single rotations rather than the quad.
The 21-year-old American figure skater finished in eighth place overall in the men’s competition and was visibly upset following his final performance. Now he has shared that he has a new motto moving forward with skating and in life.
Ilia Malinin Has Gained Powerful Perspective at the Olympic Games
GettyIlia Malinin fell on the ice during the men’s free skate at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina
Days after his free skate catastrophe, Ilia Malinin spoke with CBS News’ Kelly O’Grady about the perspective he has gained that he wouldn’t have garnered had he finished with an individual medal around his neck. Speaking to his new motto following his Olympic debut, Malinin says, “You learn more from failure than you do from winning.”
Shortly after speaking with O’Grady, Malinin shared more of his thoughts when he sat down with Good Morning America and revealed how he feels he has grown throughout his skating career – and just over the past few days. Malinin reveals that, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
He also told Good Morning America that several prominent figures from the sports world have reached out to him, including Simone Biles and Tom Brady. Steph Curry has also offered advice to the Quad God and words of reassurance following his Olympic heartbreak.
Malinin Will Perform in the Gala Skate on the Final Night of the 2026 Olympics
GettyIlia Malinin will perform in the gala skate alongside Team USA skaters Amber Glenn and gold medalist Alysia Liu at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina
Ilia Malinin was beaming with genuine joyful excitement as he watched fellow American figure skater Alysa Liu win the gold medal in the women’s individual competition on February 19, 2026. The moment was one of true sportsmanship and supportive friendship between Malinin and his Team USA teammates. His support for Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov, who shocked the world to win the gold medal everyone believed would be around Malinin’s neck, was even more of a testament to Ilia’s heart and depth of compassion both on and off the ice.
Alongside several of his teammates and other prominent skaters who have competed at The Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, Ilia Malinin will perform a final time in the gala skate event on February 21, 2026. The event is a showcase, so it will be a chance for Malinin to enjoy skating without the pressure of having to perform for the sake of winning a medal or proving himself to the world. Plus, he has already proven him as a true athlete at heart and a young man with impeccable character.
Ilia Malinin Has New Motto After Devastating 2026 Olympic Performance