Blowing the Big Moment Is Only Human, Scientists Discover
USA's Ilia Malinin reacts after competing in the figure skating men's singles free skating final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 13, 2026. Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images
The collapse of young Ilia Malinin—the U.S. figure skater known as the Quad God—on Olympic ice last Friday is the moment in this year’s games most watchers will remember. Few of us can imagine performing the feats of these athletes, but we can all relate to blowing a high-stakes moment. It’s part of the human experience.
Betsy McCaughey
Author
Betsy McCaughey, Ph.D., is a political commentator, constitutional expert, syndicated columnist, and author of several books, including “The Obama Health Law: What It Says and How to Overturn It” and “The Next Pandemic.” She is also a former lieutenant governor of New York.
