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Simone Biles is extending her support to fellow Olympian Ilia Malinin during a challenging time.
On Tuesday, February 17, the renowned gymnast, 28, appeared on Today from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics — which she is attending as a spectator — and discussed the 21-year-old figure skater’s shocking eighth-place finish in the men’s single skating competition. The two-time World champion fell multiple times during his program on Friday, February 13.
“I’ve had the chance to cross paths with him and have also reached out to him on Instagram,” Biles shared with Today hosts Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, and Carson Daly.
“We’ve kept our conversations private because I truly understand what he’s going through. It’s something not all athletes can relate to, and it’s tough to witness. But in my eyes, he’s still a legend, and I believe he’ll come out stronger,” she added. “We’re all here rooting for him.”
The 11-time Olympic medalist knows firsthand the pressures Malinin is facing. During the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Biles entered with high expectations to clinch the gold. However, under immense public scrutiny, she encountered the “twisties,” leading her to withdraw after securing a bronze on beam and a silver in the team event.
Malinin — nicknamed the “Quad God” — also appeared on Today on Tuesday, opening up about the pressure he felt.
“Honestly, it’s an overwhelming experience,” Biles reflected. “There’s so much pressure with so many eyes on you—not just from fans or media, but from everyone. It can truly affect you if you’re not prepared to handle it fully. That might have been a misstep for me during the free skate; I wasn’t entirely ready to manage it.”
Additionally, as In Touch previously reported, Malinin shared an Instagram post on Sunday, February 15, opening up about what he was feeling on the ice.
“On the world’s biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside,” he captioned a video compilation of clips from his skating career. “Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise. Vile online hatred attacks the mind and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable pressure. It all builds up as these moments flash before your eyes, resulting in an inevitable crash.”
Although Malinin did not make the podium in the men’s individual, he won gold in the team event.