Ilia Malinin Was Expected to Leave Milan with Multiple Golds — Instead, His Fair Play Nomination After a Stunning Olympic Collapse Has Everyone Talking

Ilia Malinin went into his first Winter Olympics as one of the top figure skaters in the world. Prior to Milano Cortina 2026, the USA star had brought home gold in the last two World Championships in Montreal and Boston. Not to forget his four-straight U.S. Championship wins from 2023 to 2026.

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Malinin got off to a strong start, helping the United States win gold in the team event alongside Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea. Malinin contributed 19 of the USA’s 69 total points, helping his country narrowly edge Japan by one point and earn the first Olympic medal of his career.

Malinin’s run in Milan continued a few days later at the men’s singles event, looking to add to his medal count. He got off to a strong start in the short program, finishing with a 108.16 score, the highest of the day. However, Malinin’s performance at the free skate was a disappointment, finishing with a total combined score of 264.49 and dropping him all the way to eighth, losing out on another medal.

But while Malinin may not have secured a second Olympic medal in Milan despite being a favorite, the 21-year-old figure skater still showed good sportsmanship toward gold medalist Mikhail Shaidorov, who finished with a score of 291.58.

For his actions toward Shaidorov, the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP), along with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has announced that Malinin is a finalist for the Fair Play Awards. The honor “recognises acts of sportsmanship, integrity and solidarity witnessed during the Games.” Joining Malinin as a finalist include Glenn, the USA women’s curling team and the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team, among others.

“Ilia Malinin(USA) – Figure skating: After a heartbreaking drop from 1st to 8th place, Malinin didn’t retreat and genuinely celebrated gold medallist Mikhail Shaidorov,” the International Fair Play Committee wrote.

Malinin will be back on the ice soon, eyeing another gold at the 2026 World Championships in Prague starting in late March.

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