MILAN: Ilia Malinin posted a video on social media Monday juxtaposing images of his many triumphs with a black-and-white image of the US figure skater with his head buried in his hands, and a caption hinting at an “inevitable crash” amid the pressure of the Olympics while teasing that a “version of the story” is coming on Saturday. That is when Malinin is expected to skate in the traditional exhibition gala to wrap up the Olympic figure skating program.

The 21-year-old was trying to fight back tears after one of the worst nights of his career, one that left a star-packed crowd inside Milano Ice Arena sitting in stunned silence.

In one of the most shockingly devastating performances in Olympic figure skating history, Ilia Malinin finished 8th in men's singles figure skating.