Even when it is not performing, Ilia Malinin is one of the main characters of these Winter Olympic Games.
Last weekend ended with Malinin as the golden boy of the Games. He saved Team USA in the figure skating team event, performing both the short program and free skate to lead the Americans over Japan by a single point.
This weekend ended a bit differently, however, for the two-time world champion.
After it was announced earlier in the day that Malinin would be in Prague next month to defend his world championship, the figure skater made his first public appearance since his stunning collapse on Friday.
Malinin entered the men’s individual competition free skate segment as the leader and final skater on the ice with a clear path to gold. But after the worst performance of his career, the 21-year-old tumbled off the podium and into eighth place.
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But on Sunday, the American showed his great sportsmanship by showing up in the stands for the pairs competition to cheer on his teammates.
Malinin was caught on camera with Mexico’s Donovan Carrillo, who also participated in the men’s individual event and finished 22nd. Carrillo, a seven-time Mexican champion, also finished in the same place back at the Beijing Games.
“From here, it’s just regrouping and figuring out what to do next and going from there,” said Malinin in an interview with ESPN following Friday’s defeat.
Before he focuses on Prague and defending his world title, he will have one final skate in Milan.
Malinin will attend and participate in the Olympic exhibition gala on Saturday, where the top medalists and performers from the Games will give a send-off to Italian fans.
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