Vienna’s Ilia Malinin didn’t leave the Milan Olympics with the individual gold medal he was hoping for. But a display of good sportsmanship earned the figure skater a different honor: the 2026 Fair Play Award.
The award is organized by the International Fair Play Committee and the International Olympic Committee. It recognizes acts of sportsmanship, integrity, and solidarity at the Olympic Games.
Malinin, 21, finished eighth after a series of falls and other technical mistakes in the men’s individual free skate. Despite his own disappointment, Malinin embraced and celebrated gold medalist Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan.
“Congratulating Mikhail wasn’t about the results,” Malinin told the IOC. “It was about the shared journey we take as athletes. Knowing that fans worldwide connected with that moment means more to me than any medal.”
Malinin was one of six finalists for the Fair Play Award. The others included U.S. skater Amber Glenn, the Italian and U.S. women’s curling teams, the Canadian women’s hockey team, curler Julie Zelingrova, and skater Kagiyama Yuma.
Voters determined Malinin as the final winner. This year’s Fair Play Award had the most fan engagement in the award’s history.
“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,” IOC president Kirsty Coventry said.
The award dates back to 1964, when Italian bobsleigh athlete Eugenio Monti won for providing his opponents with a replacement bolt after their sled was damaged.
“I am deeply humbled to receive this honor,” Malinin said, “especially given the incredible legacy of Eugenio Monti here in Italy.”
Feature image of Ilia Malinin and Mikhael Shaidorov at 2026 Milan Olympics, ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Stock Photo
