MILAN — In the thrilling world of figure skating, all eyes were on Ilia Malinin, the final skater in the U.S. team event. At just 21, he’d already made history with stunning performances. With gasps in the air, he caught himself after a stumble and then performed an incredible backflip, a feat yet to be matched by any other male skater at the Olympics.
As he waited for Japan’s last skater, the atmosphere was electric. When Shun Sato’s score was announced, the tension vanished. The U.S. took gold with a score of 69, Japan closely behind at 68, while Italy claimed bronze with 60 points. This marked Malinin’s first Olympic medal and the second straight gold for the U.S. in this event.
The competition unfolded over two days, combining scores from various disciplines. The U.S. team used mostly the same skaters: Madison Chock and Evan Bates danced in both rhythm and free events, while Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea competed in pairs. However, in women’s singles, Amber Glenn replaced Alysa Liu for the final round.
Glenn, a three-time U.S. champion, expressed her feelings about the competition. She felt responsible for a disappointing finish that dropped the team from the lead, admitting she struggled with the team format and the weight of expectations.
By the final event, both the U.S. and Japan were tied. When Malinin skated, his confidence shone through, highlighted by a sparkling black outfit beneath his Team USA jacket. Despite a few wobbles, including a hand on the ice, he pushed his limits, showcasing moves that surpassed his competitors. He scored 200.03, setting a high bar.
Sato managed a score of 194.86, falling short of securing gold for Japan. This event symbolizes the competitive spirit of figure skating, showcasing not only technical skills but also the emotional journey of the athletes.
Interestingly, according to a recent survey by the International Skating Union, interest in figure skating has surged, especially among younger viewers. As sports evolve, we’re seeing new stars like Malinin rise, igniting passion for this beautiful sport.
For more details on Olympic figure skating, check out resources from NBC Sports.
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