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Ilia Malinin hints at 'inevitable crash' amid Olympic pressure and online hate in social media post
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Ilia Malinin of the United States reacts at the end of his program after competing during the men's free skate program in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. - photo by AP Photo/Francisco Seco
MILAN (AP) — 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 in the Winter Games, was the heavy favorite to add another gold in the individual event.