Ilia Malinin didn’t have the performance he wanted at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, and now he’s opening up about how his mental health affected him on the ice.

On Friday, February 13, the 21-year-old Olympic figure skater, who is nicknamed the “Quad God,” competed in the men’s single skating competition and, shockingly, finished eighth after falling multiple times.

The two-time World champion — initially favored to bring home the gold medal — took to Instagram on Sunday, February 15, posting a compilation of clips from his skating career with a candid caption about the mental challenges he faced as a teaser for something he is seemingly releasing later this month.

“On the world’s biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside,” Malinin wrote. “Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise. Vile online hatred attacks the mind and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable pressure.”

“It all builds up as these moments flash before your eyes, resulting in an inevitable crash,” he added. “This is that version of the story. Coming February 21, 2026.”

In an interview with NBC after his skate, Malinin said, “Maybe I was too confident that it was gonna go well,” admitting he underestimated the Olympic environment.

“I think it was definitely mental,” he added. “Now, finally experiencing that Olympic atmosphere, it’s crazy. It’s not like any other competition. It’s really different.”

The reporter also asked Malinin what his “first thought” was after finishing his routine.

“I blew it. That’s honestly the first thing that came to my mind was, ‘There’s no way that just happened,'” he confessed. “I mean, I was preparing the whole season, you know, I felt so confident with my program.”

While Malinin did not take home a medal in the men’s individual, he did win gold in the team event.