The 2026 Winter Olympics are showcasing stunning performances and unexpected outcomes. Day 7 revealed a mix of triumph and disappointment across various sports, particularly in figure skating and ice hockey.
Figure Skating Upset: ‘Quad God’ Falls Short
In a shocking turn of events, Ilia Malinin of the United States, nicknamed the “Quad God,” faltered in the men’s singles figure skating event. Despite being the overwhelming favorite and entering the competition with a strong record, he fell twice during his free skate routine.
Malinin, who had not lost a competitive event since 2021, finished with a disappointing score of 156.33. This placed him eighth overall, more than 27 points behind Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov, who clinched gold with a remarkable score of 291.58. This victory marked Kazakhstan’s first Olympic gold since 1994.
- Ilia Malinin: Finished eighth with a free skate score of 156.33.
- Mikhail Shaidorov: Gold medalist with a career-best score of 291.58.
- Notable Competitors: Yuma Kagiyama (Japan) – Silver; Shun Sato (Japan) – Bronze.
Ice Hockey Highlights: U.S. and Canada Shine
The U.S. women’s hockey team advanced to the semifinals after a decisive 6-0 win against Italy. Kendall Coyne Schofield notably scored two goals, supported by solid performances from defenders Megan Keller and Laila Edwards.
On the men’s side, Canada dominated Switzerland, winning 5-1 to secure the top position in Group A. Key players like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Nathan MacKinnon led the charge, while young star Macklin Celebrini scored for the second consecutive game.
Injury Concerns
However, the game took a somber turn when Kevin Fiala of Switzerland suffered a leg injury during a collision. He was subsequently taken off the ice on a stretcher, raising concerns about his availability for future matches.
Cross-Country Skiing Glory: Klæbo Makes History
Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo etched his name in Olympic history by winning the men’s 10km freestyle event. With this victory, Klæbo secured his third gold medal of the Games, tying him for the most all-time among Winter Olympians with eight golds in total.
- Johannes Høsflot Klæbo: Achieved his third gold in 2026, ties for the all-time record.
Ukrainian Athlete Faces Setback
In a poignant moment, Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych faced disappointment when his appeal to wear a helmet honoring athletes who lost their lives during Russia’s invasion was denied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Ukrainian athlete’s helmet, featuring images of fallen comrades, was deemed to violate IOC rules on athlete expression, preventing him from making a powerful statement during the competition.
With much more action still to come, the 2026 Winter Olympics continue to captivate audiences with thrilling victories and heart-wrenching stories.
