Overview
- USA Today’s Christine Brennan and Malinin’s camp confirmed he will perform in Saturday’s Olympic exhibition gala, an uncommon invite for an eighth-place finisher.
- His agent also confirmed he will defend his world championship in Prague beginning March 23, setting up an early test against new rival Mikhail Shaidorov.
- Malinin made his first public appearance since the free skate by watching the pairs short program in the arena after postponing a media session and returning to practice.
- Fans voiced concern after he reposted emotionally vulnerable TikTok messages, as peers and public figures including Mikaela Shiffrin offered messages of support.
- Maxim Naumov, competing a year after losing his coach-parents in a midair collision, finished 20th, said he felt their presence on the ice, and will return home to rest and coach with strong backing from his Boston club.