Ilia Malinin, the 21-year-old figure skater famously known as the Quad God, recently opened up about the emotional toll of his performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
During his Olympic debut in Milan, Malinin fell twice during his free skating program and failed to complete several technical elements.
The skater described the event, which resulted in an eighth-place finish, as a deeply painful experience.
“That day will forever be the worst day of my life,” Malinin told the Associated Press in an interview published Wednesday.
Malinin admitted that he felt the weight of public expectations heading into the competition.
He noted that he believes “the majority of people were expecting me to be the Olympic champion,” according to the Associated Press.
Following his performance on Feb. 13, the athlete was observed struggling to hold back tears as he exited the ice.
At the time, he told reporters that he had not yet been able to process the events and was experiencing a range of mixed emotions.
Despite the disappointment, Malinin emphasized his enduring passion for the sport.
He explained that he would have participated in the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in March regardless of his Olympic placement.
“Even if I won the Olympics, I would have wanted to go to the World Championships, because I love the sport so much,” the skater stated, as reported by People.
Looking toward the future, Malinin said he is viewing the next four years as a period of growth and personal evolution.
He intends to shift his focus away from strict placement goals and toward enjoying the act of skating itself.
Malinin noted that he has been reminding himself that everything happens for a reason.
He added that every moment since his Olympic appearance has served to transform him into a different person.
The skater said he is now looking forward to his next chapter in the sport.