U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin had been expected to win gold at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina, Italy, thanks to his signature quadruple jumps.
But the 21-year-old finished in eighth place after falling during the men’s free skate.
His own disappointing performance didn’t stop him from immediately celebrating the victory of Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov, with a handshake and an embrace. Malinin could be heard telling the stunned gold medalist, “You deserve it.”
That moment, described as a “display of profound sportsmanship,” was chosen as the best example of fair play at the Games over five others nominated by the Switzerland-based International Fair Play Committee.
“Ilia’s gesture was the embodiment of ‘victory beyond the medal,’” the committee’s president, Sunil Sabharwal, said, adding that the unprecedented interest in the award shows “sportsmanship is a positive force to reckon with.”
The public was asked to pick from among Malinin; two other figure skaters, Amber Glenn of the U.S. and Kagiyama Yuma of Japan; curler Julie Zelingrova of the Czech Republic; the Canadian women’s hockey team; and the U.S. and Italian women’s curling teams.
Fan engagement in this year’s contest was the highest level ever, the International Olympic Committee reported, with even more votes cast than for participants in the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.
“Fair play is the heartbeat of the Olympic movement,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said. “Ilia’s actions reminded us all that excellence is not just measured by a podium finish, but by the respect and solidarity we show our competitors in our most difficult moments.”
Coventry said that the “unprecedented fan participation in this award is a testament to the success of Milano Cortina 2026 and the universal appeal of the Olympic values.”
Malinin said he was “deeply humbled to receive this honor, especially given the incredible legacy of Eugenio Monti.” The Italian bobsledder was the award’s first recipient for giving his British rivals a needed part for their damaged bobsled at the 1964 Winter Games in Innsbruck.
“Congratulating Mikhail wasn’t about the results; it was about the shared journey we take as athletes,” Malinin said. “Knowing that fans worldwide connected with that moment means more to me than any medal.”