{"id":8815,"date":"2026-02-20T23:09:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T23:09:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/?p=8815"},"modified":"2026-02-20T23:09:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T23:09:22","slug":"thats-how-you-do-it-after-a-rollercoaster-week-at-the-2026-winter-olympics-ilia-malinin-delivered-one-of-the-most-genuine-reactions-of-the-games-and-it-wasn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/?p=8815","title":{"rendered":"\u201cTHAT\u2019S HOW YOU DO IT!\u201d After a rollercoaster week at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Ilia Malinin delivered one of the most genuine reactions of the Games \u2014 and it wasn\u2019t even about his own performance. As Alysa Liu skated the performance of her life, cameras caught Malinin in the stands \u2014 already on his feet before the final note hit. He didn\u2019t hold back. He didn\u2019t play it cool. He clapped. He shouted. He celebrated like a fan watching history unfold. In a sport built on pressure and rivalry, the moment felt refreshingly human \u2014 pure admiration, zero ego. The clip is now everywhere, and fans are calling it one of the most wholesome reactions of the entire Olympics."},"content":{"rendered":"

The Winter Olympic Games have been among Ilia Malinin\u2019s best and worst memories.<\/p>\n

He started off the event on top of the world, \u201cQuad God\u201d commercials playing on loop as he carried the United States of America over the line against Japan to win the figure skating team event.<\/p>\n

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\"Figure<\/p>\n

Then, a week later, he was looking up at the lights of the venue in Milan, wondering where it all went wrong. He collapsed in the free skate of the men\u2019s individual competition and went from a dominating first-place position to ending eighth.<\/p>\n

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But through all of the strife and criticism, Malinin has been a fixture at every one of his American teammates\u2019 competitions since the men\u2019s final.<\/p>\n

He was there for his friends during the pairs competition, the women\u2019s short program, and Thursday night when Alysa Liu delivered a performance of a lifetime to win gold.<\/p>\n

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MILAN, ITALY \u2013 FEBRUARY 18: U.S. Olympian Ilia Malinin poses for a photo during Managing Victory at Winter House on February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Liu came into the women\u2019s finals in third place with an outside shot of taking home the top prize. But after displaying flawless technical skills and beautiful artistry, she went from dark horse to new champion in the span of an hour.<\/p>\n

\"Winter<\/p>\n

The Olympic broadcast cameras caught Malinin unaware, reacting to Liu\u2019s performance, fully off his feet, clapping and screaming for his close friend.<\/p>\n

Malinin was all smiles as Liu won the first individual women\u2019s figure skating gold medal for Team USA in over 20 years.<\/p>\n

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