NEWS

Before He Walks Away From the 2026 Winter Olympics, Ilia Malinin Says There’s One Unexpected Mission Left

hoanghuyen Avatar

Posted by

hoanghuyen

-

Ilia Malinin is soon heading back to the U.S. with an Olympic gold medal, a ton of new lessons and friends from around the world — but before he boards the plane, the figure skater has an unexpected goal in mind.

While talking with PEOPLE for an interview on Wednesday, Feb. 18, the 21-year-old at first said he plans to spend his last few days in Milan just “enjoying the Olympic experience.” But then he thought of another idea.

“A cat cafe would be fun,” Malinin said, his eyes lighting up. “I’m really missing my cats right now, so I would love to go to a cat cafe.”

The Olympic gold medalist is a cat dad of two, and they’re waiting for him back at home in Vienna, Va.

“I have a cat named Mysti and a cat named Miu Miu,” he said. “Mysti is a black cat while Miu Miu is a white cat. And they’re very cuddly. They’re like one of my new therapy, new therapeutic animals. I’m excited to go home to see them again.”

In between hanging at the Olympic village and (hopefully) going to a cat cafe, Malinin will have one more go on Olympic ice in 2026. He will skate in the figure skating Exhibition Gala on Saturday, which occurs every Winter Olympics at the end of competition and features the top stars. Malinin confirmed to PEOPLE that he’ll be performing, and shared his excitement for it.

“It’s honestly just a nice thing,” he said. “Skating in galas is different from competitions because the environment is different and the goal of the skate itself is completely different. … In the gala, it’s really just free emotions and can really show whatever you want and anything you want. So that’s why I really enjoy more like show skating instead of, you know, competitive.”

Malinin also gave a hint as to the theme of his performance.

“It’s a pretty big concept and a topic that I really wanna give a concept of, that mental health really just matters for everyone and especially us as athletes,” he said. “We get into a lot of pressure, a lot of attention, you know, the media’s always on us. Cameras, people, noise; you know, positive, negative stuff.”

“There’s so many things that people don’t see,” he continued. “It’s, you know, not a pleasant feeling to deal with all of these things, but it’s what makes us human. It’s what makes us really strong and brave and I think that’s the message I want to give out for this performance.”

In Hainesport Township, families are waking up to dead geese and ducks scattered across sidewalks, porches, and even school bus stops amid a suspected bird flu outbreak spreading through South Jersey. One mother says her son watched a goose “fall right out of the sky” into their backyard — a moment she calls traumatizing. State officials report more than 1,100 sick or dead birds statewide in just days, and parks in Gloucester County have already shut down. But in Hainesport, neighbors say they’ve been told disposal is their responsibility — armed with gloves, masks, and trash bags. One resident claims he bagged 18 dead geese in a single day… with dozens more still in his yard.
In Hainesport Township, families are waking up to dead geese and ducks scattered across sidewalks, porches, and even school bus stops amid a suspected bird flu outbreak spreading through South Jersey. One mother says her son watched a goose “fall right out of the sky” into their backyard — a moment she calls traumatizing. State officials report more than 1,100 sick or dead birds statewide in just days, and parks in Gloucester County have already shut down. But in Hainesport, neighbors say they’ve been told disposal is their responsibility — armed with gloves, masks, and trash bags. One resident claims he bagged 18 dead geese in a single day… with dozens more still in his yard.

Traumatized Hainesport Twp. residents forced to dispose dead birds amid suspected outbreak An error has occurred. Please contact…

After analyzing nearly 500 feline tumors across multiple countries, researchers found the same cancer-linked mutations seen in human blood, lung, bone, skin and even breast cancers. One mutation — FBXW7 — appears far more often in cats than in people, but when it shows up in humans, outcomes are worse. Here’s the twist: common chemotherapy drugs like vincristine may slow those tumors in cats — potentially offering a faster, real-world testing ground for treatments that could later help human patients.
After analyzing nearly 500 feline tumors across multiple countries, researchers found the same cancer-linked mutations seen in human blood, lung, bone, skin and even breast cancers. One mutation — FBXW7 — appears far more often in cats than in people, but when it shows up in humans, outcomes are worse. Here’s the twist: common chemotherapy drugs like vincristine may slow those tumors in cats — potentially offering a faster, real-world testing ground for treatments that could later help human patients.

Cats give genetic clues to better cancer treatments Similarities between pet and human tumours suggest new ideas for…

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — brother of Charles III and once one of the most privileged men in Britain — was arrested this week in a stunning twist tied to the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files. For the first time in nearly 400 years, a British royal has been taken in for questioning. The message from the Palace? “The law must take its course.” No titles. No deference. Just “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” released under investigation. Across the Atlantic, though, the picture looks very different. While authorities in the UK move forward, critics say accountability in the U.S. still feels out of reach — even after document dumps, public pressure, and years of unanswered questions surrounding Epstein’s powerful circle.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — brother of Charles III and once one of the most privileged men in Britain — was arrested this week in a stunning twist tied to the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files. For the first time in nearly 400 years, a British royal has been taken in for questioning. The message from the Palace? “The law must take its course.” No titles. No deference. Just “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” released under investigation. Across the Atlantic, though, the picture looks very different. While authorities in the UK move forward, critics say accountability in the U.S. still feels out of reach — even after document dumps, public pressure, and years of unanswered questions surrounding Epstein’s powerful circle.

A former prince is arrested in the UK with accountability in question in the US Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured…

Chaos erupted in the stands — and then something extraordinary happened. Inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, gunfire shattered a youth hockey game as Robert Dorgan opened fire on his own family. But as panic spread and fans scrambled for cover, a handful of bystanders did the unthinkable — they ran toward the shooter. Michael Black thought the shots were popping balloons… until he saw the gun. He told his wife to run — then lunged, jamming his hand into the weapon to stop it from firing. Others piled on. A chokehold. A desperate struggle. Blood on the bleachers. Seconds that felt like forever. Police say those “courageous citizens” likely prevented even more deaths. Now Black is being called a hero — but he says he doesn’t feel like one. What drove ordinary spectators to risk everything in that split second… and how much worse could this have been if they hadn’t?
Chaos erupted in the stands — and then something extraordinary happened. Inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, gunfire shattered a youth hockey game as Robert Dorgan opened fire on his own family. But as panic spread and fans scrambled for cover, a handful of bystanders did the unthinkable — they ran toward the shooter. Michael Black thought the shots were popping balloons… until he saw the gun. He told his wife to run — then lunged, jamming his hand into the weapon to stop it from firing. Others piled on. A chokehold. A desperate struggle. Blood on the bleachers. Seconds that felt like forever. Police say those “courageous citizens” likely prevented even more deaths. Now Black is being called a hero — but he says he doesn’t feel like one. What drove ordinary spectators to risk everything in that split second… and how much worse could this have been if they hadn’t?

When Rhode Island shooter started firing, bystanders jumped into action to end the carnage Moments after Robert Dorgan…

BI00d on the ice. 💔 At the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, what should have been a routine high school hockey night turned into a nightmare. Authorities say 56-year-old Robert Dorgan opened fire, killing his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and their son Aidan before taking his own life — leaving three others critically injured. But this wasn’t random. His daughter, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, says it was a calculated “vendetta” against their own family. She was in the stands with her young sons when the shots rang out — and says a split-second act of heroism saved their lives. A long trail of family conflict, court battles, and bitter disputes now raises chilling questions about what led to this explosion of violence.
BI00d on the ice. 💔 At the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, what should have been a routine high school hockey night turned into a nightmare. Authorities say 56-year-old Robert Dorgan opened fire, killing his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and their son Aidan before taking his own life — leaving three others critically injured. But this wasn’t random. His daughter, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, says it was a calculated “vendetta” against their own family. She was in the stands with her young sons when the shots rang out — and says a split-second act of heroism saved their lives. A long trail of family conflict, court battles, and bitter disputes now raises chilling questions about what led to this explosion of violence.

Rhode Island ice rink shooting victims confirmed as shooter’s daughter alleges ‘vendetta’ against family Robert Dorgan’s daughter says…

In Minnesota alone, more than 100 refugees were reportedly arrested in recent weeks before a federal judge stepped in to halt detentions and order releases. A broader court fight is looming — one that could reshape how refugees are treated nationwide. With refugee admissions already slashed and new reviews underway, thousands could be affected. They came to the U.S. legally, fleeing persecution. Now many are asking: after surviving everything else… are they about to face detention here?
In Minnesota alone, more than 100 refugees were reportedly arrested in recent weeks before a federal judge stepped in to halt detentions and order releases. A broader court fight is looming — one that could reshape how refugees are treated nationwide. With refugee admissions already slashed and new reviews underway, thousands could be affected. They came to the U.S. legally, fleeing persecution. Now many are asking: after surviving everything else… are they about to face detention here?

Refugees Without Green Cards Subject to Arrest Under New Policy Image A federal immigration agent in Minneapolis last…

Colbert says network lawyers pressured him not to air it. CBS says that’s not true. Meanwhile, the political backdrop is anything but quiet — from corporate mergers to renewed “equal time” scrutiny from the FCC. And here’s the twist: Talarico’s campaign reportedly raised $2.5 million in the fallout. A segment that never aired on television just became one of the most-watched political interviews online. So what was said that sparked 85 million views — and a network standoff?
Colbert says network lawyers pressured him not to air it. CBS says that’s not true. Meanwhile, the political backdrop is anything but quiet — from corporate mergers to renewed “equal time” scrutiny from the FCC. And here’s the twist: Talarico’s campaign reportedly raised $2.5 million in the fallout. A segment that never aired on television just became one of the most-watched political interviews online. So what was said that sparked 85 million views — and a network standoff?

After Colbert-CBS Rift, Interview With Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico Draws 85M Views Across YouTube & Social  …