Ilia Malinin faced a crushing setback head on. (Photo credit NBC screenshot)

Long live Ilia

Prior to the start of the Winter Olympics, I had never heard the name Ilia Malinin. Now, Malinin has risen (literally gotten up off the ice) to be my co-favorite athlete of these games.

Going in, 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn dominated pre-Olympic Games headlines with her gutsy but crazy intention to ski down a mountain despite a torn ACL in her knee. When Vonn careened and crashed badly, no one should have been surprised. (Accidents are to be expected when you ski down a steep mountain at 75 mph on a bum knee.)

On the ice rink, the 21-year-old Malinin loomed over the field as the undisputed man to beat. The “Quad God” was penciled in on everyone’s scorecard as the presumptive gold medal winner. Malinin was considered not “if” but “when” as it related to who would be the men’s freestyle figure skating champion.

Following an unexpected nightmare, during which he suffered a jarring defeat after falling twice, Malinin regained steadiness during post-skate interviews. It was beautiful to observe. His acceptance of a surprising 8th place finish was admirable, a display of graciousness we can all learn from. Emotions surely raw, Malinin calmly explained how what happened could happen.

Friday the 13th

For the superstitious, Ilia Malinin’s disastrous performance fit like a glove, considering the men’s freestyle skate was held on Friday, February 13. It’s a date Malinin will never forget. With good reason, NBC vigorously promoted Malinin as the world anticipated his expected crowning performance. When Malinin failed to deliver his immediate response was a lesson in honesty and humility. No tantrum. No finger pointing. No litany of excuses. Malinin manned up and owned his subpar skate, admitting he arrived in Italy overconfident.

During the moments after his debacle, Malinin displayed thoughtful, matter-of-fact poise that must have made his parents - both former Olympic skaters - as proud as they would have been if he’d won gold.

After taking a moment on the ice to absorb what had just happened, a despondent Ilia skated slowly off the ice. He was met by his coach/dad and an omnipresent TV camera following his every move. A hot mic picked up the conversation between father and son. Malinin lamented being left off the 2022 Olympics team, which would have given him invaluable experience performing on the world’s biggest sports platform.

Many in the figure skating community argued the then-17-year-old Malinin, who finished second at the U.S. Nationals, should have been on the U.S. team four years ago in Beijing. After last Friday’s disappointment Malinin said he is still proud to have gotten to the Olympics.

Lindsey Vonn’s crash should be a wakeup call to U.S. officials who allowed her to compete with a torn ACL. (Photo credit NBC screenshot)

Holding steady, Ilia refused to allow the shocking disappointment to turn him into an untethered spectacle. When he met with the media Malinin spoke with the maturity of a seasoned vet. His responses hid nothing.

Clearly shaken yet calm, Malinin said he “fell apart [and] blew it.” Malinin admitted he was overcome by the environment. “The mental pressure of the Olympics is really something different,” he said. Malinin said he was “overwhelmed by being the gold medal favorite.” All understandable on this grand stage, especially for someone so young who’d been pulled on from every direction. Expressing regret at what happened, Malinin later said his “nerves and ever-present negative thoughts” doomed him.

Malinin should receive a “handled-adversity-well” gold medal for how he dealt with failing in his big moment on the ice. In addition to his thoughtful, soul-baring answers Malinin offered a heartfelt hug and words of praise to the surprise gold medal winner, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan.

A few days after his poor showing Malinin displayed alarming vulnerability with a disturbing message on TikTok. “Sometimes I wish something bad would just happen to me so I don’t have to do it myself.” He later added, “Your little boy is tired, mom.” His legion of followers responded with messages of love and encouragement that hopefully will help the young man handle enormous disappointment.

Maybe Ilia will find inspiration from Simon Biles, one of the greatest gymnasts of all-time. Biles endured a similar meltdown at the 2021 Japan Olympics (held a year late due to the pandemic). She recovered and came back triumphantly at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Lifetime ban

For her own good the headstrong Lindsey Vonn should be banned from competitive skiing. USA officials who allowed her to compete with a torn ACL should be relieved of their duties. Can you imagine an NFL team’s doctors allowing a player to play in the Super Bowl with a torn ACL? Or university athletic trainers allowing a player to compete in the Final Four with a torn ACL?

While some marvel at Vonn’s bravery, others cringe at her risk-taking. Following the crash she endured four surgeries on her broken leg, before leaving Italy. Vonn may need additional surgery and months of rehab. Her battered body makes Vonn the Tiger Woods of her sport (ironically, a decade ago, Vonn and Woods dated for several years). In a “what kind of crazy are you?” statement, Vonn says she will “stand on the top of the mountain once more.” This calls for intervention.

Elana Meyers Taylor tasted the thrill of victory. (Photo credit NBC screenshot)

Elana the Great

Last night, Elana Meyers Taylor, also 41 years old, cemented herself as an Olympian for the ages.

Previously, a World Cup champion and World Championships winner, Meyers Taylor won her first bobsled gold medal and sixth Olympics medal. She is now tied with Bonnie Blair for the most Winter Olympics medals by an American woman. Meyers Taylor is the oldest American woman to ever win gold, after delivering the fastest time during her final run. She celebrated by wrapping herself in the American flag and hugging her two young sons, both of whom were born deaf. Meyers Taylor’s achievement is an All-American story of overcoming monumental obstacles.

My co-favorite athlete of these Winter Olympics is Elana Meyers Taylor, the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history. USA! USA! USA!

With the Winter Olympics closing ceremony approaching, savor the remaining competition (bobsledding and snowboarding have been among my favorites). The breathtaking Italian mountain scenery has been awe-inspiring, showcased during NBC’s stellar broadcast.

And let’s hope we see Ilia Malinin in France at the 2030 Winter Olympics, with Lindsey Vonn providing television commentator analysis during the downhill ski competition.

LOST BUT WON