Friday, February 20, 2026-Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles has openly offered heartfelt support to U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin after his dramatic stumble at the Winter Olympics 2026.
Malinin, widely tipped for gold in the men’s figure skating free skate, fell multiple times and finished well outside the medals, a result that shocked fans worldwide. Biles — who has navigated intense pressure and public scrutiny of her own — said she immediately thought about his mental wellbeing in the hours after his performance.
Biles explained that watching Malinin’s outcome triggered memories of her own Olympic challenges, particularly her struggles with mental blocks and the decision to prioritize her wellbeing at previous Games. “I was really worried about how his mental health was going to be,” she said, noting that when an athlete expected to deliver the performance of a lifetime doesn’t, it can have deep emotional effects. “I’ve been through that firsthand, so I really went into protection mode.” She quickly reached out to Malinin with supportive messages meant to validate his feelings and reassure him that tough moments don’t define a career.
The two later met in Milan, where Biles said her aim was simple: to help Malinin feel seen and understood in a moment when the world was judging the outcome. She stressed that sharing her own experience and affirming his emotions could aid his recovery and perspective.
Malinin responded positively, acknowledging that her words resonated with what he was experiencing. Their interaction underscored a broader conversation at these Games about athlete mental health and the importance of solidarity among competitors.
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