Athletes often talk about the Olympics as just another competition. It sounds easy. But for many, the pressure can be overwhelming.
Take figure skater Ilia Malinin. He was the top favorite to win the gold in men’s singles at the 2026 Winter Olympics. But when he stepped onto the ice for the first time, that “just another competition” mindset faded quickly. “I didn’t expect it to be that much,” he remarked, reflecting the intensity of the Games.
In the team event, Malinin underperformed. Despite helping his team clinch gold by just one point over Japan, his scores were not what fans expected. He placed second in the short program and faced challenges in the free skate. The pressure was evident, as he tried to manage the high expectations set upon him.
However, he turned things around in the individual short program. Malinin demonstrated his skill with impressive quadruple jumps, a standout element that sets him apart from other skaters. In a more relaxed state, he nailed his opening jump—a quad flip—and executed a complex quad lutz-triple toe loop combination. The judges loved it, awarding him a record score of 22.03 for that move alone.
Malinin’s total score of 108.16 was 10.16 points higher than his previous short program, putting him 5.09 points ahead of Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama. This strong performance built up his confidence for the free skate. Notably, he previously completed seven clean quads in December’s Grand Prix Final, showing he has the technical ability to dominate.
When reflecting on the team event, he expressed the weight of that Olympic debut. “There was so much pressure,” he said. “I got too excited, and it bit me. This time, I focused on being calm and relaxed.”
It’s a vital lesson for any athlete facing the limelight. The mental aspect of competition can be just as critical as physical skill. In fact, a survey from the American Psychological Association indicates that nearly 70% of athletes feel significant stress during high-stakes competitions.
As the Games progress, the intensity only grows. For Malinin, overcoming initial nerves may lead to a more successful journey toward that coveted gold. His experience highlights an essential truth: mastering the mental game can often be as important as physical prowess in sports.
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Best of Milan Cortina 2026,Meet the Athletes,Stars of the Games,Storytelling,Team USA, Figure Skating, Ilia Malinin, United States, Men's Singles, Short Program, Short Program
