Mikaela Shiffrin of Team USA Responds to Ilia Malinin’s Surprising 2026 Olympic Performance
Mikaela Shiffrin stands in solidarity with her fellow Team USA athlete Ilia Malinin, both of whom missed the podium at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“The Olympics challenge us to take significant risks on a global platform,” Shiffrin, 30, expressed in an Instagram comment on Saturday, February 14. “Such risks require courage and the willingness to face misjudgments and narratives shaped by a narrow perspective of our sport’s true demands.”
She added, “This journey is essential to become the best versions of ourselves. We hold love close because we understand loss. We endure the sting of defeat as we have savored victory.”
Shiffrin did not secure a medal in the women’s giant slalom, following Malinin’s unexpected 8th place finish the day prior.
“Heartbreak and victory coexist closely,” Shiffrin summarized on Saturday. “Disappointment and gratitude often go hand in hand. Ilia, we support you. I’m proud of your journey.”
Known as the “Quad God” for his exceptional skill in quadruple turns, Malinin was anticipated to win the men’s figure skating event. However, despite leading in the short program, he stumbled multiple times and fell during his free skate, resulting in a disappointing finish.
“I did not see that coming,” Malinin stated to NBC Sports on Friday, February 13, after the event. “I felt prepared stepping onto the ice. Perhaps I was too confident everything would go smoothly. Experiencing the Olympic excitement is surreal and completely different. I messed up. There’s no way that just happened.”
Just days before his solo event, Malinin contributed to Team USA’s gold-medal success in the skating team event.
“People often see me during competitions and I appear intensely focused, reaching a mindset where I aim for perfection,” Malinin shared exclusively with Us Weekly prior to the Games. “But in reality, I am not flawless. I have good days and bad days. It’s vital for people to realize, ‘Oh, he’s human just like everyone else.’”
Embracing the “Quad God” moniker certainly aids him in maintaining a positive mindset.
“When I hear the name Quad God, it puts me in the right frame of mind,” he joked to Us. “I like to set high standards for myself, constantly challenge my limits, and strive to see tangible progress.”
With the 2026 Winter Olympics in full swing, Team USA has arrived in Italy ready with star power, inspiring narratives, and heightened expectations. As the premier athletes land in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, all eyes are on them: from Ilia Malinin’s highly anticipated performance in men’s figure skating to Mikaela Shiffrin’s much-awaited comeback on a grand stage.
Malinin shared that his goals for the Olympics extended beyond simply winning medals.
“My vision for success at the Olympics is to reignite widespread interest in skating,” he conveyed to Us. “I aim to revive its golden years when arenas were packed for every skating event. It held immense popularity and was featured on all major channels. That’s my aspiration. With many people watching the Olympics, it’s an opportunity to reach them with this vision.”
