Ilia Malinin, the U.S. figure skater known as the "Quad God," was bested by Yuma Kagiyama of Japan in the short program at the Milano Cortina Olympics, though the U.S. team maintained a lead heading into the final day of competition, according to CBS News. Meanwhile, U.S. speedskater Greta Myers made a surprise Olympic debut in the 3,000 meters, and the Macuga sisters saw their Olympic dreams dashed, while controversy erupted over a racist video shared on a social media platform.
Kagiyama's performance, which included a near-perfect quad and combination, earned him 108.67 points, topping Malinin's score of 98.00. This result kept the Japanese team within striking distance of the defending champion U.S. team, with the final medals to be decided in the men's, women's, and pairs free skates on Sunday, CBS News reported. Madison Chock and Evan Bates' brilliant free skate helped the U.S. end the day with 44 points, five ahead of Japan. Malinin acknowledged the need to "buckle down and see what happens and get better next time," according to CBS News.
In speed skating, Greta Myers unexpectedly competed in the 3,000 meters after Czechia's Martina Sablikova withdrew, calling it the "hardest sporting decision of her life," CBS News reported. Sablikova, a gold medalist from the 2010 Vancouver Games, expressed feeling "helpless" and "disappointed." Myers had been slated to compete in the 1,500 meters at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, but her times secured her the first alternate quota spot, according to NBC.
The Macuga sisters, Alli, Lauren, and Sam, saw their hopes of competing together at the 2026 Winter Olympics dashed, CBS News reported. While Alli and Sam were not selected for Team USA, Lauren had a chance after winning the Super-G at St. Anton am Arlberg in January 2025, making her the first American woman to win the event at the venue and the youngest since Lindsey Vonn to win an Alpine World Cup event.
In other news, a racist video depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama with the bodies of apes was shared on a social media platform, prompting condemnation from Black conservatives and the NAACP, ABC News reported. The White House said the video was posted in error. NAACP National President Derrick Johnson called the video "blatantly racist, disgusting, and utterly despicable," according to ABC News.
Additionally, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced criticism amid anti-ICE riots and a potential government shutdown, Fox News reported. Despite the pressure, Noem remained "calm, collected, and confident," according to Fox News, during a trip to assess winter storm damage in Mississippi.
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