The recent fall of Ilia Malinin, a young American figure skater known as the God of the Quad, during the Olympics has left a lasting impression on many viewers. It’s a moment that resonates because, well, we can all relate to pressure-filled situations in some way.
So, what’s behind such performances? A study involving three rhesus monkeys—Earl, Nelson, and Ford—along with their researchers may have some answers. This research could actually serve as comfort, not just for Malinin, but for all of us, reminding us to ease up on ourselves when things go awry.
All primates share a tendency to stumble under pressure. Malinin, aged 21, had been an undefeated sensation for two and a half years, with many anticipating his success in the men’s figure skating event.
He was your classic confident skater, pulling off backflips and mastering quadruple spins that few would dare attempt. But during Friday’s performance, it was as if his talent was just stripped away—he fell multiple times, omitted a planned quad, and essentially ruined his routine.
As he exited the ice, he buried his face in his hands, clearly overwhelmed.
“The pressure of the Olympics really gets to you,” he reflected, struggling to respond to the same questions from reporters.
A team of neuroscientists from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh discovered that when the stakes are high, like winning an Olympic gold medal, the brain can become overly cautious, slowing down neuron activity that normally helps execute smooth movements.
Using small chips with electrodes implanted in monkeys’ brains, they monitored their brain processes while increasing rewards for correct task performance. Surprisingly, when those rewards were too high, the monkeys choked. Their cognitive function dipped, causing them to miss targets.
For instance, Earl consistently hit his mark until the reward was maximized; then, he failed 11 times in a row. “The monkeys get so startled that they can’t perform,” noted Aaron Bautista from the University of Pittsburgh.
It seems that focusing too hard on movements can actually impede performance.
“This phenomenon is evident across various sports and even beyond,” co-researcher Stephen Chase explained.
This intricate research sheds light on how our brains react under pressure, particularly in high-stakes situations. Before these findings, though, experts knew that overthinking can disrupt athletic fluidity.
Rob Gray from the University of Birmingham emphasizes that concentrating too much on an automatic action can leave athletes confused.
Many athletes know the feeling of choking all too well. Some are famously remembered for their missed opportunities—like golfer Jean van de Velde, who lost the 1999 British Open despite a three-stroke lead.
But the crucial part is bouncing back.
In the days following Malinin’s fall, fans grew more anxious after he shared a TikTok video expressing discomfort, saying, “Sometimes I wish bad things didn’t happen to me.” Another post lamented, “There’s nothing worse than trying your best and still not being good enough.”
Malinin should take heart in knowing that science indicates our brains are wired for these moments of anxiety. It’s simply part of the human condition.
He is certainly capable of Olympic gold, and many believe he will achieve it in the future. In just four years, at the Winter Olympics in Nice, France, he’ll be only 25. For now, he remains the reigning world champion and is viewed as one of the most inventive and daring figure skaters of his generation.
Even in this setback, he demonstrated grace, complimenting the Ukrainian athlete who unexpectedly won gold by saying, “You deserve it.”
