2026 Olympics: Men's Free Skate

[Jennyf]

Sad but true. Kurt never conquered the Olympic monster but still went on to become one of the worlds most popular skaters

And he was genuinely one of the best. Just like Michelle never winning an OGM took nothing away from how supreme she was as a skater. This is the dichotomy of this sport. Two nights every four years count for so much, when these people have given us hundreds of amazing performances.

 

[readernick]

Don't forget that Kurt Browning never won an Olympic medal despite two tries and four World Championships.

I don't think any of my favorite skaters have ever won gold. In the end, the Olympics is such a unique environment.

I needed this

That's the best thing I've seen all day.

 

[skatedreamer]

I had a terrible feeling at the GPF that Ilia had his Olympic skate in the FS with those 7 quads. But still never thought he'd collapse like this with Gold on the line. All he had to do was fight like in the FS in the TE and he would still have won by nearly 20 points.

He didn't need to try the 4A. I give him credit for going for it but when he blew it, it seemed like he couldn't let it go and it messed with his head for the rest of the program.

I'm a musician; have screwed up a few auditions just like that. It's horrible when the "judgy" tape takes over your brain!

 

[Emcgrath1201]

I lurk here a lot but I thought I would post. That was the worst men’s competition I have ever seen. Total train wreck. No one was really good and deserving of an Olympic medal, especially when you compare to other Olympics.

I feel awful for Ilia. We will never really know if going to the Olympics four years ago would have made a difference or not. I always felt like he was robbed of that experience, regardless of today’s results. I do think that the team completion should be moved to the end though, but I guess that also depends upon which gold you think is more important.

And yes, the US media has to stop hyping people and declaring them Olympic champs before the competition.

 

[Emcgrath1201]

I don't think any of my favorite skaters have ever won gold. In the end, the Olympics is such a unique environment.

That's the best thing I've seen all day.

Paul Wylie

 

[badknees]

I see what you are saying. Technically his elements are worth so much and pcs aren't such a factor.

Not very nice. This is the wrong time. Ilia is young and to be crushed like this. Jason Brown is at home crying what if... a medal was not impossible that darn unknown Canadian almost won the bronze medal and maybe deserved it. Who would hae thought.

Interesting thought about Jason. Isn't that why the USFSA would always send him because even w/o quad he was usually in the top 10.

 

[CellarDweller]

I sure hope Ilia isn't going to blame this on the USFSA not sending him to 2022 Olympics. I mean, maybe he should have gone. I'm not sure how I feel about the Olympics as a training ground for the next Olympics an athlete may qualify for.

He made that comment in the kiss and cry. Something like "If they had sent me last time this wouldn't have happened."

 

[el henry]

I needed this

I love Shun's coach. He sparks joy.

 

[el henry]

He made that comment in the kiss and cry. Something like "If they had sent me last time this wouldn't have happened."

Sweet Baby Jesus.

I didn't hear this, if he actually said this, I will chalk it up to the heat of the moment.

Otherwise, he has learned nothing from this experience, and that would be disappointing.

 

[badknees]

I wouldn't crucify him based on a comment made after the worst moment of his life.

Didn't say Ilia made that comment. I actually heard it days ago in some commentary from someone that Ilia had been upset that he didn't go to 2022.

 

[tempusfugit]

Hopefully the meltdowns at men’s event isn’t gonna follow through to pairs and ladies!

From your lips.....

 

[LeReveur]

Marks breakdown

Skating Scores: Latest Figure Skating Results, Scores, Rankings & Statistics

The best resource for Figure Skating scores and stats on the web.

skatingscores.com

Interesting to see that Shun Sato was 1st in GOEs. That tracks with my perception...

 

[readernick]

He made that comment in the kiss and cry. Something like "If they had sent me last time this wouldn't have happened."

In the moment, we get upset. But, I hope he doesn't continue to blame others for his failures. In the end, the only one on the ice during his program was Ilya. He's responsible for how he skates.

 

[badknees]

Sweet Baby Jesus.

I didn't hear this, if he actually said this, I will chalk it up to the heat of the moment.

Otherwise, he has learned nothing from this experience, and that would be disappointing.

Oh wow, I didn't hear that either. If he was holding on to the pain or bitterness of not going in 2022 that sure could have affected him mentally. Gosh thats a shame.

 

[liv]

I didnt catch what Ilia said, but if it's true that he said not going to Beijing was the reason why he failed? Nope. Not buying it. Many athletes have won gold in their first Olympics... and some, like Kurt Browning, didn't win after having gone previously. It's a reasonable excuse, but not guaranteed to be THE reason. Winning everything for years in between should season you, but the Olympics are different. Many world champions, across many disciplines, with loads of experience, have still faltered at the Olympics.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Didn't say Ilia made that comment. I actually heard it days ago in some commentary from someone that Ilia had been upset that he didn't go to 2022.

Tara or Johnny said he did in the K&C.

 

[Emcgrath1201]

Sweet Baby Jesus.

I didn't hear this, if he actually said this, I will chalk it up to the heat of the moment.

Otherwise, he has learned nothing from this experience, and that would be disappointing.

I heard him say it, but I also think I heard someone say something to get him to stop. But, after what happened, I won’t criticize him for thinking that way right now.

 

[amc987]

I get what you're saying, but there isn't really that much "program" these days when you consider how little time is spent not doing footwork, spins, or setting up jumps. That's true for all the men, and the judges like what Ilya does between those technical elements such that the mistakes don't impact those scores too much apparently.

I agree if you're comparing Shaidorov and the men generally to the way men used to skate in the 80s, 90s, and 00s.

But I think there's still a significant difference between the level of Shaidorov's performance quality, choreo, and skating skills, and those of Jason Brown, Kagiyama, Siao Him Fa, Aymoz, and even Ilia.

 

[labgoat]

Speechless.

I know Nathan Chen knows how this feels at his first Olympics. Ilia will be okay.

It was a mess except for the winner. Congrats to Misha, Yuma and Shun.

Nathan is in the arena. I wonder if ilia might talk with him or Max who knows life could be worse. Also, calling on Spencer Howe - your chaplaincy might be needed.

 

[cocteautwin]

I love Shun's coach. He sparks joy.

He should get all the "coach of the year" awards. Not only he did amazing job with Shun but also is the most entertaining person, JPN team spirit best cheerleader and S.O.S. blade maintanance master. I love this man.