FAIRFAX, Va., Feb. 22 -- George Mason University issued the following news release:
When Ilia Malinin stepped onto the ice for the closing exhibition gala of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday, Feb. 21, the George Mason University student wasn't skating for a score. He was skating for something bigger. Turning heartbreak into a powerful statement on mental health, grit and resilience, he closed out his winter games appearance on his own terms.
Wearing a dark sweatshirt and distressed jeans, a moodier, loose-fitting ensemble compared with his competition outfits, George Mason University student and figure skating champion Ilia Malinin performed to "Fear" by NF with choreography that showcased a bold young man facing immense pressure, con...