Ilia Malinin performs to Fear as he completes cathartic Olympic gala routine
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Over 40 Olympic figure skaters, including Americans Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin, participated in the traditional exhibition gala celebrating the sport after the competition concluded.
- Ilia Malinin performed a poignant routine to NF's "Fear," addressing mental health and the pressures he faced after failing to medal in the men's free skate despite being a favorite.
- Alysa Liu, who made a remarkable comeback after feeling burned out post-2022 Olympics, performed a joyful routine and secured both team and individual gold medals.
- Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov, the men’s gold medalist, delivered a light-hearted performance dressed as Kung-Fu Panda, while former Italian skater Carolina Kostner opened with a symbolic duet featuring
