American figure skater Ilia Malinin is focusing on the next Winter Games after a disappointing performance at the 2026 Olympics in Milan. The 19-year-old fell during the men's free skate on February 13, 2026, ending his medal hopes.
Malinin later appeared in the Olympic exhibition on February 21, 2026, where he performed a backflip, a move rarely seen in competition. He rebounded to win the gold medal at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague on March 28, 2026, signaling a strong return to form.
