Simone Biles Turns Out in Milan to Back Ilia Malinin After Tough Olympic Free Skate
Simone Biles, the 11-time Olympic medalist with seven golds to her name, made a high-profile appearance at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Friday night (ET), turning heads as she cheered on the men’s singles figure skaters. Biles and her husband stood and applauded as Ilia Malinin struggled through his free skate and ultimately placed eighth. Her presence and public encouragement underscored a cross-sport camaraderie at the Games.
In-person support for a struggling favorite
Biles attended the session in Milan and was visibly supportive from the stands. When Malinin faltered in his free skate, the crowd reacted with a mix of gasps and applause; Biles and her husband stood and applauded through the performance. Malinin, often nicknamed for his signature quad Axel attempts, finished eighth after a routine that did not go as hoped.
Big-screen interview: light-hearted and sympathetic
Between competition groups, the arena’s emcee brought Biles on the big screen for a brief interview. Biles contrasted the Winter and Summer Games with a touch of humor, noting the obvious climate difference and offering well wishes to the athletes. "I think the difference is the weather and the temperature. I’m used to hot and this is very cool, " she said. "So, I wish the athletes the absolute best and to stay chill. "
Shared language of flips and twists
Biles drew a parallel between gymnastics and figure skating, pointing to the shared technical vocabulary of flips and twists that both sports demand. She praised the difficulty of performing complex elements on blades and emphasized that, while there are similarities in aerial technique, she would never attempt such maneuvers on ice. "I would never do it on ice, so I give them all the props, " she said, adding that she is rooting for and praying for the skaters as they compete.
Kiss-and-Cry ties and reflections on format
The athlete also noted a familiar feature that both disciplines share: the Kiss-and-Cry area where athletes wait for scores under the camera’s eye. Biles observed that gymnastics adopted that format from figure skating and conceded that, while gymnasts aren’t huge fans of the public waiting area, it has become part of the routine. That parallel offered a moment of reflection on how the two sports borrow traditions from one another as they evolve on the world stage.
Social posts and arrival in Milan
Earlier in the week, Biles had signaled her travel plans to Milan, sharing that she was packing to attend the Winter Games. During the session she also shared clips of the competition to her social channels, amplifying support for the athletes and offering fans a closer view of the arena atmosphere. Her presence added star power to the event and drew attention to the pressure athletes face when signature elements don’t land as planned.
What it means for the moment
Biles’ appearance in Milan served as a reminder that elite athletes often find common ground across disciplines. Her public encouragement for Malinin and other competitors underscored a spirit of solidarity during a high-stakes moment. For fans and fellow athletes alike, that was the defining takeaway: even amid disappointment, there is visible support and mutual respect at the heart of the Games.
