The events of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026 have come to a close, but the spectacular performances of the athletes still linger in the minds of the audience, especially the mesmerizing movements on ice by figure skaters. On Saturday, February 21, the top figure skaters of the Winter Olympics held an exhibition match, once again delighting the audience.
This exhibition match had no scoring or medal competition; it was simply an opportunity for these exceptional figure skaters to showcase their talents once again after their dazzling performances throughout the entire Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
American skaters Elia Marlin, Liu Meixian, Amber Glenn, as well as ice dance duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates, all delivered breathtaking farewell performances. Japanese skaters Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai, who won silver and bronze in the women’s singles figure skating respectively, also had stunning performances. Korean skaters showcased a program featuring their country’s unique cultural elements. Additionally, there were some lighthearted and entertaining program segments with fun and quirky costumes.
Let’s first look at the equally thrilling and thought-provoking experiences these athletes had during this Winter Olympics.
Liu Meixian made a remarkable comeback in her career at this Winter Olympics, clinching the gold medal in women’s singles figure skating. Meanwhile, her American teammate Marlin faced a shocking fall during what was expected to be a surprising competition.
Hailing from the Bay Area in California, Liu Meixian secured the title with a stellar free skate routine, including seven impeccable triple jumps. She pointed to the sky in celebration, with the packed audience rising to their feet in applause.
Marlin, known for his strength, is the only skater able to complete a quadruple half loop jump. In the singles free skate competition, expectations were high for this two-time world champion to be crowned Olympic champion, but an unexpected fall placed him in eighth position.
The 21-year-old Marlin mentioned that mental fatigue was one of the reasons for his loss and noted that the renowned American gymnast Simon Biles provided him encouragement at the venue.
Biles, who struggled with a “twist” after the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, ultimately made a comeback at the 2024 Paris Winter Olympics. Marlin also aspires to reach new heights at the Winter Olympics in France four years from now.
Marlin gracefully handled his defeat, cheering on his teammates from the stands and delivering an emotional performance during the closing exhibition on Saturday evening.
The exhibition match concluded with Marlin’s performance, and his iconic backflip prompted the entire audience to rise to their feet in applause, expressing admiration for his exquisite skills and acknowledging the pressures he faced.
“I feel that this exhibition match was very helpful for me to overcome all the pressure from the past week,” he shared. “I am delighted that I could express myself in such a poetic manner.”
Kaori Sakamoto only secured a silver medal at the Milan Winter Olympics, which was disappointing. However, the future of Japanese figure skating remains promising. Seventeen-year-old Ami Nakai won the bronze medal, while 20-year-old Momoka Chiba finished in fourth place in their Olympic debuts, showcasing excellent performances.
In the pairs figure skating event, the Japanese duo Rira Miura and Tatsuki Kimura performed at their career-best level, executing a grand and Gladiator-themed free skate routine. They clinched the gold medal, making it Japan’s first Olympic gold in that event.