At the Milan Winter Olympics in 2026, the men’s singles figure skating competition reached its climax. American prodigy Ilia Malinin undoubtedly became the center of attention on the ice. In the free skate final held on Friday, February 13, he not only challenged the physical limits of humankind but also showcased a lesser-known side of himself on the ice with a bold choice of music that was a first of its kind in the world.
Behind this mysterious Winter Olympics music, what kind of self-confession does the “Quad King” Malinin carry with him?
Malinin confirmed in an interview with NBC that he is the first Olympian to incorporate personal voiceovers into his competition music. The piece titled “A Voice” was created jointly by Malinin, choreographer Shae Lynn Bourne, and director Bohdan Turok.
Whispering in the melody, Malinin said, “True wisdom comes from knowing one’s own ignorance… The past is not a shackle but a fine thread.” This narrative approach breaks the tradition of figure skating music merely serving as background and transforms it into an inner dialogue.
Malinin’s ability to surpass the typical gold medal favorites and become the star of all media coverage stems from his redefinition of the sport’s limits:
Overcoming the physical limits of humankind:
He is the only person in history to successfully execute the “Quad Axel” (a quadruple Axel jump) in a major competition. This move, considered the ultimate dream by two-time Winter Olympics champion Yuzuru Hanyu, has now become Malinin’s signature “skill,” earning him the title of the “Quad King” by many.
Reshaping performance on the competition stage:
He executed the first-ever “backflip” in Olympic history after the ban on this move was lifted in the team event. This daring competition style that breaks conventions and showcases extreme physical abilities quickly garnered him a fan following among young audiences worldwide, even surprising the tennis superstar Novak Djokovic with his mastery to the point of “covering his head” in amazement.
For a long time, Malinin has been labeled as a “technical robot” due to his extreme jumping difficulty. Through “A Voice,” he has sent a clear signal to the world of his transition: he no longer wants the audience to see him as just a “precision instrument” capable of spinning four and a half times but as a young athlete who can be confused, reflective, and embrace the “unknown storm.”
The highly anticipated men’s free skate final commenced officially on Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. For Malinin, this is not only a battlefield to claim his first Olympic gold medal but also a chance to ascend towards the pinnacle of artistry and technique.