Skater Ilia Malinin Hints at 'Invisible Battles' After Olympic Disappointment

Ilia Malinin, a prominent U.S. Olympic figure skater, has shared a cryptic social media video following his unexpected performance failure. The video juxtaposes footage of his past triumphs with images of his distress after the competition, set to dramatic music. Malinin’s caption speaks of "fighting invisible battles on the inside," "vile online hatred attacks," and "an inevitable crash," suggesting a personal struggle influencing his performance.

The skater has announced that "this version of the story" will be revealed on February 21, 2026. This date coincides with the exhibition gala scheduled to close the Olympic figure skating program. Although Malinin did not medal in the individual event, he was instrumental in securing the U.S. team's gold medal earlier in the competition. His performances had been highly anticipated, making his loss one of the most notable stories of the Winter Games.