Ilia Malinin, Olympic
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Ilia Malinin’s quest for his first Olympic gold medal in figure skating is off to a strong — but not perfect — start.
The Olympic figure skating team event got underway Friday morning with the rhythm dance, pairs short program and women's short program. Ten national teams compete for a place in the final and the chance to stand on the Olympic podium.
Acceptance in sport does not lower standards. It raises them. It allows athletes to compete with integrity, make informed decisions about their well-being and build careers rooted in longevity rather than burnout. Ultimately, this shift represents a healthier, more human model of high performance.