2026 Olympics: Men's Free Skate

[YagsFan]

I am a Jason Brown fan. I have never heard him blame anyone for his mistakes. He is not cocky or arrogant, and never was. Even though he is the most artistic male skater ever. Who has not said things that were hurtful when emotionally stressed? When I do, I appologize for them. Ilia is entitled to his opinion that not having the Oly experience denied by the USFS was the cause of his meltdown. That's a cop out. I say someone who is undefeated since 2023, and who won an OGM in the team event has only himself to blame. Or his team for not properly preparing him for an event 100 times bigger than a worlds. I have no blame for him for loosing...I think Scot Hamilton's description of what happened is probably pretty accurate. Could happen to any top skater....but dont blame anyone for your own mistakes....especially a decision, right or wrong, made 4 years ago.

But like padme said, it was a heat of the moment, emotional reaction. Unfortunately, it came out of his mouth instead of staying in his head. To me, what he did immediately after that matters much more----he got up, went over Shaidorov and offered genuine congratulations to him. He didn't just offer a handshake in passing, he hugged him and stood talking to him for some moments. I also believe that with a little reflection, Ilia will have already realized that this has nothing to do with 2022. He obviously still has feelings about that, which as you say he is entitled to, but he'll know that this is a separate issue. BTW, I also am a huge fan of Jason Brown

 

[Iskatgal]

I don't think Ilia's 2024 worlds program only worked because of his jumps. I thought the Succession theme and choreo from Shae Lynn Bourne were great and gave a sense/feeling of the show. I would have enjoyed watching that program even if he were just doing triples.

Also, there's also a limited amount of choreography you can do if you're planning 6-7 quad programs, it's physically not possible.

I just re-watched Yuma's FS and I don't see much choreography there either. It's setting up for jumps and jumping for most of the program, which is to be expected when you do a higher number of quads. Then he does an Ina Bauer and a choreo sequence toward the end. It's nothing close to choreo masterpieces like Yagudin 2002, Yuzuru 2012 R&J, or Yuzuru Seimei.

I feel the future might bring even more jumping passes, increasing the jumps to a 7-8 quad program. Maybe, eventually the introduction of Quint jumps. Now, how do you fit in all the jumps, spins, footwork and choreography? Seems like men's skating is changing quicker than we thought even possible.

 

[skylark]

Earlier in the week, I was already noticing how different Ilia's experience was from other USA first-time Olympians like Emilea & Vadym, Isabeau, and Andrew Torgashev. I've never seen a more joyful, carefree exit off his skate than Andrew's.

Andrea's question to Ilia on the SP day brought this home to me. She asked, "how are you feeling?" Ilia said, "to be honest, I'm feeling pressured." Tara immediately said something like, "everyone does, but I've never heard anyone admit it." Ilia's honest about his feelings, and I don't think it's fair to use terms like "sour grapes" or "cocky" about him. I think his honesty about feelings is part of what makes him a great skater. And afterwards, he went to Shaidarov and congratulated him and said "You deserve it." He has consistently been generous to others in victory as well.

Early last week I was already thinking that if Ilia had been to the Beijing Olympics, he could have understood and felt how different the Olympics are from every other competition. Have that under his belt. And maybe not be so swept away by others' expectations. I kept remembering the posters who thought Ilia should've been sent to Beijing. I know it was the BOW provision at work, but USFA chose to "apply" it differently in other instances.

 

[skatedreamer]

I feel the future might bring even more jumping passes, increasing the jumps to a 7-8 quad program. Maybe, eventually the introduction of Quint jumps. Now, how do you fit in all the jumps, spins, footwork and choreography? Seems like men's skating is changing quicker than we thought even possible.

With 7-8 quads, there would be no choreography at all -- just a jump-off. I wouldn't want to watch an event like that but that's JMO.

Crazy brainstorm: if the IOC added a separate jumping event for the jump kings, maybe we could get back to real "Patinage Artistique."

 

[CoyoteChris]

But like padme said, it was a heat of the moment, emotional reaction. Unfortunately, it came out of his mouth instead of staying in his head. To me, what he did immediately after that matters much more----he got up, went over Shaidorov and offered genuine congratulations to him. He didn't just offer a handshake in passing, he hugged him and stood talking to him for some moments. I also believe that with a little reflection, Ilia will have already realized that this has nothing to do with 2022. He obviously still has feelings about that, which as you say he is entitled to, but he'll know that this is a separate issue. BTW, I also am a huge fan of Jason Brown

I agree when he calmed down a second he showed class by going over to Shaidorov. I have learned the hard way that there is nothing to be lost and much to be gained by apologizing for saying something in the heat of emotion...or just saying something the wrong way...
Jason is a class act and I cant remember a single Japanese skater who wasnt either...
Sadly, as I have said before, I have seen an oly medalist throw their medal in the trash because they didnt like the color...there was no apology for that insult that I remember, although there may have been one. I hope so. We all make mistakes.
I am happy that Ilia held his hand over his heart during the anthem when he got the Team OGM. That shows respect and class also.
I would hope Ilia would talk to other skaters about his remark in the K and C and ask them what they think he should do. His call.

 

[withwings]

I was saddened by the Sour Grapes remark in the K and C about this all being USFS's fault. This is not the first time he has blamed the USFS for not sending him to Bejing. I can see a young immature person saying this but he owes the USFS an apology. He is correct in that going to the Olys is not like going to Worlds or any other big comp. The massive size of the event itself can be intimidating but he did OK in the Team event. He just cracked under pressure as we all have at some point in our lives. Ilia, ditch the back flip and the rasberry and the Quad god shirt. Concentrate on realizing you are just another human on this earth...no more...no less...

It seems to me.. no, not only seems, I am more than sure that it is not Ilia's opinion. He rather spontaneously repeated what others have thought or said regarding Beijing ( during these years). Unfortunately, all of us when we do hear something we want or do not want to, we start to believe to it to some extent. And much more young people. In other words, there has been too much noise around him about Beijing and, imho, it was not his opinion but rather influence of that ''noise''. Ha! we even tend to cross the street when everyone else crosses it even if there is a red light, not green.
He immediately went to congratulate Shaidorov, let rather this speaks itself.

 

[skatesofgold]

Earlier in the week, I was already noticing how different Ilia's experience was from other USA first-time Olympians like Emilea & Vadym, Isabeau, and Andrew Torgashev. I've never seen a more joyful, carefree exit off his skate than Andrew's.

Andrea's question to Ilia on the SP day brought this home to me. She asked, "how are you feeling?" Ilia said, "to be honest, I'm feeling pressured." Tara immediately said something like, "everyone does, but I've never heard anyone admit it." Ilia's honest about his feelings, and I don't think it's fair to use terms like "sour grapes" or "cocky" about him. I think his honesty about feelings is part of what makes him a great skater. And afterwards, he went to Shaidarov and congratulated him and said "You deserve it." He has consistently been generous to others in victory as well.

Early last week I was already thinking that if Ilia had been to the Beijing Olympics, he could have understood and felt how different the Olympics are from every other competition. Have that under his belt. And maybe not be so swept away by others' expectations. I kept remembering the posters who thought Ilia should've been sent to Beijing. I know it was the BOW provision at work, but USFA chose to "apply" it differently in other instances.

I feel like USFS applies BOW differently to men than women, and it's unfair. I know a lot of people disagreed with the decision at the time, but I'm still really glad Polina Edmunds was sent in 2014 (she placed in the top 10 without any senior worlds experience!) and I wish Ilia Malinin was offered the same opportunity in 2022, even though I like Jason Brown.

 

[TallyT]

My grey Maine Coon tomcat passed away yesterday at noon. He was old (15, would be 16 by this summer) but it doesn't lessen the pain.

Oh I am so sorry.

 

[cruzceleste]

Even if it is not his opinion, as he repeats it, he must take responsibility for it. Whether he decides to apologize or not would change nothing, because I’m sure it is a point probably repeated around him and one he believes.


Besides, plenty of first-time Olympians in figure skating and other sports do perform and win under Olympic pressure, so it is a weak point he is making

 

[el henry]

Ilia should not have been sent to Beijing under the application of the rules as they were then. His team tried a run-around the rules, it didn't work, end of story. The Olympics are not a training ground for young athletes. Also, dear skating gods in heaven, this was four years ago, Time to move on.

And not getting sent to Beijing has Jackson B. Squat to do with Ilia's meltdown here. If he actually does believe that, that's a problem for him and he won't improve. As my man Jalen Hurts (yes, not this sport once said, you either win or you learn. Now is the time for learning.

I think Ilia will learn. I choose to believe it was a heated remark in the heat of the moment and that he will study, he will dissect and figure out what actually happened, and go forward.

 

[skatedreamer]

Ilia should not have been sent to Beijing under the application of the rules as they were then. His team tried a run-around the rules, it didn't work, end of story. The Olympics are not a training ground for young athletes. Also, dear skating gods in heaven, this was four years ago, Time to move on.

And not getting sent to Beijing has Jackson B. Squat to do with Ilia's meltdown here. If he actually does believe that, that's a problem for him and he won't improve. As my man Jalen Hurts (yes, not this sport once said, you either win or you learn. Now is the time for learning.

I think Ilia will learn. I choose to believe it was a heated remark in the heat of the moment and that he will study, he will dissect and figure out what actually happened, and go forward.

"Jackson B. Squat"

I may want to borrow that. Do we need to talk licensing and such?

But seriously, I do hope that after a while, Ilia will be able to see this experience more objectively, learn from it, and be stronger for it.

It's a hard, cruel lesson -- harder still because he's having to learn it in public.

 

[4everchan]

Besides, plenty of first-time Olympians in figure skating and other sports do perform and win under Olympic pressure, so it is a weak point he is making

First time Olympians in figure skating include the winner Misha Shaidorov, the bronze medal winner Shun Sato, the 5th place Stephen Gogolev (never even has been to WC) , the 6th place Petr Gumenik...

So in the top 6, only Yuma and Jun had previous experience.

 

[4everchan]

"Jackson B. Squat"

I may want to borrow that. Do we need to talk licensing and such?

@el henry 's little cousin owns the rights to this one I am afraid.

 

[Mista Ekko]

Ilia should not have been sent to Beijing under the application of the rules as they were then. His team tried a run-around the rules, it didn't work, end of story. The Olympics are not a training ground for young athletes. Also, dear skating gods in heaven, this was four years ago, Time to move on.

And not getting sent to Beijing has Jackson B. Squat to do with Ilia's meltdown here. If he actually does believe that, that's a problem for him and he won't improve. As my man Jalen Hurts (yes, not this sport once said, you either win or you learn. Now is the time for learning.

Not sure I agree, The Criteria for 2022 was biased against someone like Malinin as written because he didn't have the opportunities other top skaters had to gain criteria due to his age and the set up to the Olympics being during Covid, there was no "run-around", there were legitimate conversations about who to send.

As to the second point, We can't really say for sure if it has anything to do with his performance here but it's a fair speculation due to what a lot of other athletes are saying about the Olympic experience who went through something like this, Plus if we can hear him saying that's how he feels (wether it's a cool thing for him to say or not) why not respect that that's his experience?

 

[elbkup]

My grey Maine Coon tomcat passed away yesterday at noon. He was old (15, would be 16 by this summer) but it doesn't lessen the pain.

So sorry..

 

[el henry]

Not sure I agree, The Criteria for 2022 was biased against someone like Malinin as written because he didn't have the opportunities other top skaters had to gain criteria due to his age and the set up to the Olympics being during Covid, there was no "run-around", there were legitimate conversations about who to send.

As to the second point, We can't really say for sure if it has anything to do with his performance here but it's a fair speculation due to what a lot of other athletes are saying about the Olympic experience who went through something like this, Plus if we can hear him saying that's how he feels (wether it's a cool thing for him to say or not) why not respect that that's his experience?

He could have skated senior and accumulated senior points and achieved senior minimums. He, or his team, chose not to.

Fans of Ilia were understandably disappointed and tried to figure out a way under the rules as they were then that he could have qualified. But that doesn’t mean it was a “discussion”. It means that fans of Ilia were trying their best, as well they ought.

 

[chepe]

Ilia should not have been sent to Beijing under the application of the rules as they were then. His team tried a run-around the rules, it didn't work, end of story. The Olympics are not a training ground for young athletes. Also, dear skating gods in heaven, this was four years ago, Time to move on.

I'm baffled at the idea somebody should be sent to Olympic Games over somebody other deserving for no other reason but to lessen the chance he doesn't melt down in Olympic free skate 4 years from now. It's not like they had a crystal ball which would have told them Ilia will become Quad God. Four years is a long time in figure skating. I'm sure there is US teenager now who will be Olympic first-timer in 2030.

Now, if 2022 selection had some other controversy which was relevant at the time, it's a different thing.

 

[Mista Ekko]

He could have skated senior and accumulated senior points and achieved senior minimums. He, or his team, chose not to.

Fans of Ilia were understandably disappointed and tried to figure out a way under the rules as they were then that he could have qualified. But but that doesn’t mean it was a “discussion”. It means that fans of Ilia were trying their best, as well they ought.

A lot of people advocating to send him only even saw him for the first time at those Nationals, so... "Fans"?

 

[Dreamer57]

For anyone in the UK or using a VPN:

Video link podium men's free skates

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[skatesofgold]

So then, why did Polina's junior grand prix experience hold some weight and Ilia's didn't? That's my question. That's what I mean by unfair. They both won both of their assignments. Only difference is Polina got to compete in the junior GP Final and Ilia's was cancelled because of covid.