Let’s start with Ilya. In my opinion, he absolutely should not have gone for the quad axel. He popped it, lost his rhythm, couldn’t reset — and everything fell apart.
In the free skate, the main medal contenders all made mistakes. The exception was Shaidorov. In that situation, Malinin simply needed to deliver a clean skate. Without the quad axel and the quad loop. They were no longer necessary. We know Ilya’s program. He can skate it with his eyes closed. He could have limited himself to three quads. At most, added one more and take the gold.
But the quad axel is a risk. Not just an ultra-C element, but a “super” ultra-C that takes enormous energy. It would have made sense to attempt it in the team event. If not in the short program, then in the free. He could have tested himself and, if successful, entered history as the first skater to land it at the Olympic Games, which is what Ilya had dreamed of. He planned the quad axel twice in the team event but did not attempt it. That means he felt uncertainty, and it was more evident in the individual event.
Watching Malinin, I immediately remembered Salt Lake City 2002. I felt ready not one hundred but a thousand percent! I hadn’t lost all season and was considered the favorite. I arrived at the Olympics with one goal — to win gold. And I burned out from too much desire. Ilya also came to Milan to win. Many had already placed the gold medal around his neck in advance. Enormous attention was focused on him, both on the ice and off it. In such a situation, it is hard to skate with a cool head. Everything distracts you, you lose concentration. And let’s not forget — this is Ilya’s first Olympics.
After Salt Lake City, I drew conclusions. Four years later in Turin, I hid from everyone. After competitions I went straight to the Olympic Village, stayed in my room, accumulated energy. In those days I felt comfortable alone. I reduced communication to a minimum. Perhaps that is exactly what Malinin lacked. During the warm-up before the free skate, it was clear he was in good shape. His Lutz and other jumps were flawless. But the quadruple Axel changed everything.
Before this, Ilya had never popped a jump in competition. Even with that same axel, he always committed to it and rotated it. But here… it was simply a system failure. I feel sorry for the guy. But that’s how fate decided.
Some say it was fatigue after the team event. That version would make sense if Malinin were nearing thirty. But he is only 21 — his career is just beginning. It wasn’t the team event that exhausted him. It was the hype, the intense media attention, the photo shoots. Still, Ilya is young — he has many years ahead. He can definitely make it to a couple more Olympics. He will become more experienced and more driven. Milan gave him a valuable lesson. Just like Salt Lake City did for me. It helped me win in Turin. I believe it will be the same for Malinin.
but thought this was worth sharing from Elladj Balde (clips from his watch party with Asher Hill & Nam Nguyen):
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And many skaters skate to musicals, tangoes, ensemble pieces, and other music not meant for individuals so I'm not sure where you're going with that logic that a piece has to be appropriate for an individual skater 
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