Ilia Malinin Transforms Olympic Disappointment Into A Raw, Defiant Statement That Electrifies Milan
Alysa Liu was able to savor the feeling of skating once more on the same Olympic ice where she captured two gold medals. For Ilia Malinin, the night offered a chance to overwrite painful memories with something far more meaningful.
The two Americans were among more than 40 Olympic figure skaters who took part in Saturday night’s traditional exhibition gala, an event designed not for medals or scores, but to close the Games by celebrating the sport itself.
Malinin skated to “Fear” by American rapper NF, a program he had teased on social media earlier in the week while referencing the “inevitable crash” that can come when expectations and pressure collide.
Alysa Liu let go of pressure, rediscovered her joy, and transformed it into Olympic gold.
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The 21-year-old Malinin, who had already helped the United States secure gold in the team event, entered the men’s competition as the clear favorite following a strong short program. But a disastrous free skate last Friday left him off the podium entirely, a result he later admitted was fueled by the crushing weight of expectation.
“Fear” is an unfiltered song about mental health struggles and the sensation of losing control. During his routine, Malinin appeared in a gray hoodie and ripped jeans, miming the act of scrolling through his phone. He recoiled from invisible flashbulbs, crouched low with his hood pulled tight, and swatted away harsh, imagined noises meant to symbolize online criticism.
Even amid the symbolism, his talent was unmistakable. Malinin landed a quadruple jump before unleashing his signature backflip with a one-footed landing that brought the crowd to its feet. The reaction felt equal parts awe at his ability and recognition of the burden he had carried. In a striking finale, he mimed putting on headphones, plunging the arena into silence.
Mikhail Shaidorov performed a playful routine dressed as Kung-Fu Panda. Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
As tradition dictates, the gold medalists closed out the program. Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov, the men’s gold medalist, skated a lighthearted routine in a full Kung-Fu Panda costume, drawing smiles throughout the arena.
Liu was the final skater of the night. The 20-year-old Californian, who had stepped away from the sport after the 2022 Beijing Games due to burnout, completed a stunning comeback by winning both team and individual gold. On Saturday, she delivered an upbeat, carefree routine set to “Stateside” by Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress.
Alysa Liu followed her Olympic triumph with a joyful exhibition performance on Saturday. Photograph: Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images
The gala opened with former Italian skater Carolina Kostner, a bronze medalist at the 2014 Winter Games. She performed a duet alongside a 3D projection designed to represent an athlete’s journey, from their first steps in the sport to the moment when “talent finds its home” and fully merges with the skater.
Amber Glenn, a key contributor to the United States’ successful defense of its Olympic team title, skated to “That’s Life” by Lady Gaga. The song’s message mirrored her own path at the Games, as she rebounded from a costly short program mistake to deliver one of the strongest free skates of her career.
