The American, dubbed 'Quad God', finished out of the medals on Friday in one of Olympic figure skating's biggest upsets. He looked absolutely distraught by the end of his free skate and kept shaking his head, scarcely believing the nightmare he had just endured on the biggest stage for his sport. Frenchman Adam Siao Him Fa, who entered the free skate in third place, struggled mightily, and Kagiyama and Soto also failed to live up to their usual standards. Shaidorov called Malinin, whose multiple‑quad programmes have earned him the nickname "Quad God," key to growing the sport's fanbase. "I was rooting for him and he's a very important athlete for figure skating, but ice is slippery," Shaidorov said.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 14, 2026 08:17 UTC