Ilia Malinin hints at 'inevitable crash' amid Olympic pressure and online hate in social media post

Ilia Malinin posted a video on social media Monday juxtaposing images of his many triumphs with a black-and-white image of the U.S. figure skater with his head buried in his hands, and a caption hinting at an "inevitable crash" amid the pressure of the Olympics while teasing that a "version of the story" is coming on Saturday.

That is when Malinin is expected to skate in the traditional exhibition gala to wrap up the Olympic figure skating program.

Malinin, who helped the U.S. clinch the team gold medal early at Milano Cortina 2026, was the heavy favourite to add another gold in the individual event. But he fell twice and struggled throughout his free skate on Friday, ending up in eighth.

He acknowledged afterward that the pressure of the Olympics had worn him down, saying: "I didn't really know how to handle it."

Malinin alluded again to the weight he felt while competing in Milan in the caption to his social media video.

"On the world's biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside," wrote the 21-year-old Malinin.

"Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise. Vile online hatred attacks the mind and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable pressure. It all builds up as these moments flash before your eyes, resulting in an inevitable crash."

'Quad God' Ilia Malinin proves mortal as gold medal favourite stumbles to 8th place finish

Malinin, who is expected to chase a third consecutive world title next month in Prague, had been unbeaten in 14 events over more than two years.

Yet while Malinin always seemed to exude a preternatural calm that belied his age, the son of Olympic skaters