sports

Malinin reflects on Olympic pressure in moving exhibition skate

After a difficult Olympics, Ilia Malinin delivered an emotional performance at the exhibition gala, reflecting on the immense pressure and mental toll he endured.

Wearing a hoodie and jeans, the 21-year-old skated to NF's 'Fear,' sharing how the song resonated with his feelings over the past year. He expressed that the media attention and expectations were overwhelming, contributing to his struggles during the competition.

Despite being the favorite, Malinin finished eighth in the free skate. This performance served as a bittersweet conclusion to his Games, highlighting the difficulty of ignoring the noise surrounding elite athletes.