Ilia Malinin Olympic Gala Delivers Redemption Moment as NBC Figure Skating Closes Out 2026 Olympics in Italy
The 2026 Olympics held in Italy — specifically the Milan Cortina Winter Games — wrapped its figure skating program on a high note Saturday with the Exhibition Gala, a pressure-free celebration that gave stars like Ilia Malinin and Alysa Liu one final moment on Olympic ice. NBC broadcast portions of the figure skating gala live beginning at 2:55 p.m. ET, with full coverage streaming on Peacock starting at 2:00 p.m. ET.
What Is the Figure Skating Gala Olympics Tradition?
The exhibition gala olympics tradition is one of figure skating's most cherished annual rituals — a two-and-a-half-hour showcase free from judges, scores, and podium pressure. More than 40 skaters who competed during the 2026 Milan Cortina Games returned to the Milano Ice Skating Arena to perform purely for the love of the sport. Italian 2014 Olympic bronze medalist Carolina Kostner opened the night, setting a celebratory tone for the entire program.
Ilia Malinin Olympic Gala Performance: Fear Turned Into Power
The most emotionally charged moment of the NBC figure skating gala came from 21-year-old Ilia Malinin, who took the ice in a sweatshirt bearing the word "FEAR" — printed upside down — and skated to the song of the same name by American rapper NF. The symbolic choice was impossible to miss.
Malinin had entered the 2026 Olympics as the overwhelming favorite to win men's gold, having dominated the 2025–26 season with free skate scores ranging from 209 to 238 points. His short program in Milan confirmed his supremacy. But his free skate unraveled under the weight of expectations, earning just 156.33 points and leaving him off the podium entirely in a stunning turn of events.
"I was not ready to handle that to a full extent," Malinin said earlier in the week, admitting the pressure of being the gold-medal favorite got to him.
In the ilia malinin olympic gala skate, none of that weight was visible. He executed a backflip and delivered a performance that brought the crowd to its feet — turning a painful chapter into one of the Games' most memorable images.
Alysa Liu Closes the Figure Skating Gala Olympics With a Victory Lap
Gold medalist Alysa Liu, 20, went last in the figure skating gala as tradition dictates for champions. Liu's win in the women's singles gave the U.S. its first women's figure skating gold since Sarah Hughes at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games — capping a remarkable two-year comeback after she had stepped away from the sport following the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Her exhibition gala performance ended with a victory lap that the crowd at the Milano Ice Skating Arena roared through from start to finish.
Team USA's Big Night at the NBC Olympics Figure Skating Gala
The NBC olympics figure skating gala spotlighted a dominant Team USA contingent. Here's a quick look at the American skaters featured on the night:
| Skater | Event | Olympic Result |
|---|---|---|
| Alysa Liu | Women's Singles | Gold Medal |
| Amber Glenn | Women's Singles | Competed |
| Ilia Malinin | Men's Singles / Team Event | Team Gold; 8th in Singles |
| Madison Chock & Evan Bates | Ice Dance | Competed |
Team USA closed the 2026 Olympics held in Italy with 11 gold medals overall — a new Winter Olympics record, surpassing the previous U.S. high of 10 from 2002.
2026 Olympics Held in Which Country: Italy's Milan Cortina Games
The 2026 Olympics held in which country has been a top search since the Games began. The answer: Italy. The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics spread competition across Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and surrounding alpine venues — making it one of the most geographically diverse Winter Games in recent memory and a spectacular backdrop for the figure skating gala to close out NBC's Olympic coverage.
What's Next for Ilia Malinin After the Olympic Gala?
Despite his Olympic singles disappointment, Ilia Malinin 2026 Olympics coverage ends on a forward-looking note. His agent confirmed he is expected to compete at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague next month — a title Malinin has won two consecutive years. The "Quad God," who made history as the first skater ever to land a quadruple Axel in competition, showed Milan that even his setbacks come with grace — and his gala redemption skate may well be what fans remember longest.
