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Malinin's Gala: Skating His Truth on Social Media's Dangers
22 Feb
Summary
- Malinin used his gala performance to address social media's impact.
- He portrayed struggles with spotlight and criticism on the ice.
- Teammate Alysa Liu also impressed with a joyful exhibition skate.
Figure skater Ilia Malinin offered a poignant exhibition performance on Saturday, using the ice to convey a powerful message about the impact of social media and the intense glare of the spotlight. This came just a week after his unexpected eighth-place finish in the men's singles event, a competition he was heavily favored to win.
Skating to a song about mental health struggles, Malinin's routine included gestures like flinching under imaginary flashbulbs and pulling his hood over his head, symbolizing the pressures he faced. Despite his earlier Olympic disappointment, he executed a quadruple jump and his signature backflip, earning a standing ovation.
American teammate Alysa Liu, the women's champion, also delighted the crowd with her own exhibition skate, expressing her happiness in rediscovering her passion for the sport. The event also featured memorable performances from ice dance gold medalists Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, as well as pairs champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara.
