After Figure Skating Blunder: Star Ilia Malinin Complains About 'Online Hate' - Ilia Malinin opens up about mental health after Olympic struggles in 2026
American figure skater Ilia Malinin has spoken openly about his mental health struggles after a difficult performance at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo. The 20-year-old, known for his groundbreaking quad jumps, finished eighth in the 2026 Winter Olympics—his lowest result at a major competition. Now, he has addressed the online abuse that worsened his emotional state while hinting at a possible return for the 2026 Winter Olympics exhibition gala.
Malinin entered the 2026 Winter Olympics aiming to make history. His plan included landing the quadruple Axel, a jump he had successfully executed before. But during the free skate, he aborted the move mid-air, triggering a series of mistakes that left him in eighth place.
The disappointment was compounded by relentless online criticism. In a recent Instagram post, he called out the 'vile hate' directed at him, describing how it 'attacks the mind' and 'drags you into the darkness.' Despite this, he has not ruled out skating again soon, suggesting he might take part in the 2026 Winter Olympics exhibition gala on February 21.
His career remains remarkable in terms of technical achievement. To date, he has landed 12 quad jumps in competition, including seven at the 2025 Grand Prix Final—where he became the first to land a quadruple Axel. Even at the 2026 Winter Olympics, he managed five quads in the team event short program, proving his ability remains undiminished.
Malinin's struggles at the 2026 Winter Olympics have brought his mental health challenges into focus. His decision to speak out highlights the impact of online abuse on athletes. Meanwhile, his potential appearance at the 2026 Winter Olympics exhibition gala suggests he may not be stepping away from the sport just yet.
