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Ilia Malinin will use the 2026 Winter Olympics as motivation for what's to come in his sure-to-be-magnificent figure skating career.
First, though, the Team USA star got a chance at a triumphant finish at Saturday's exhibition gala.
It's a chance for the best skaters from the Olympics to take the ice one more time. There are no judges, no scores, no pressure.
Just the joy of a beautiful sport on full display.
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Malinin, coming off his multi-fall, eighth-place finish in the men's individual competition, got to put his greatness on display.
And yeah, there was a backflip:
ILIA MALININ'S POWERFUL GALA SKATE FINISH. ⭐️ #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/ESCEF91Avz
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 21, 2026Malinin performed to the song "Fear" by NF, and its lyrics are a bit telling about where Malinin goes from here.
Standing back, watching my mansion burn to ash while IHold the gas can, asking God if He started this fireIs this what You wanted? Is this what You wanted?Make all my hopes and my dreams come to life just to lay them to restIs this what You wanted? Is this what You wanted?Give me a false sense of peace just to show me what peace really isIs this what You wanted?
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Most of the all-time greats have encountered setbacks. This certainly is a setback for Malinin.
But there he was, dressed comfortably and flipping like only he can.
There are more chapters to Malinin's story. He earned some final cheers in Italy on Saturday.
Next up, the world championships in March.
But really next up? A comeback story for Malinin that could be a special one.
More Olympics news:
- This U.S. luge star was parodied on SNL
- Mikaela Shiffrin just broke the Olympics
- Czechia's go-ahead goal against Canada had 6 skaters on the ice
- U.S. women's hockey star's brothers go viral at Olympics
- Controversy and cursing with Canada curling
- A dog stole the show at the finish line of cross country skiing
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