@authorstephennothum: He was clearly dissociating. Poor kid. #olympics #winterolympics

Operasinger60 :

Was that Andrea Joyce who did that?!?! So disrespectful. Leave him alone

the #1 zosan shipper :

Arguably, he probably didn’t want to admit it, but it was probably physical as well, he was skating SO MUCH this week! They had him do both team SP ANDDD FS! Along with his singles SP. Insane. Also physical because the ice was apparently too warm???

MyBlindMamasMessyKitchen :

I know I was like leave him alone! My heart was breaking for him. He’s the same age as my boy and my mama heart. I just wanted to hug him. He’s amazing and he has every reason to be proud. A gold medal winner in my book for sure.

Peyton :

Although today was truly tragic I do believe this will push him to do great things. When he didnt make the 2022 team he ended up landing the quad axel just a few months later and then had the longest winning streak in figure skating history. When he got 3rd in the Grand Prix short skate he ended up breaking 2 World records in the free skate both breaking the highest score and landing 7 quads in a singular program. It seems like he thrives when he has something to prove and falters when he has everything to lose.

princesspoppy828 :

My heart just broke for him

Judi :

The announcers/commentators annoyed me so bad. He’s a kid, very talented but a human who can and did mess up but all week they acted like he was a machine. Never used his name just the nickname on and on. He’s human and first Olympics the stress and pressure is real

Jenna Cintavey :

i was shouting at the tv LEAVE HIM ALONE

Karina Mara :

I felt so bad for him! Give him 5 minutes!

Pixie :

He was so composed in that interview considering what the heck happened. He had like 5 minutes and had to deal with that.

feisty :

I literally yelled to my screen, “leave him alone for a MOMENT please.” I know that’s what you sign up for as an athlete but I felt so so bad.

Arrakisfremen :

hailseitan🇵🇷🏳️‍🌈💜 :

poor Ilia 😭

Sterling T :

Seriously just let the poor kid go. No need to. It was wild to interview him right after.

Ash :

Props to him for how he handled the interview and congratulated the winner. He has great sportsmanship and can’t wait to see him again in four years

NicoleMegan :

I blame NBC. She can't help that is what the network wanted.

userB7979179 :

Agreed. I did a live reaction video and it killed me

Donna9111 :

thank you for saying this. I was pissed

belandstudio :

His reposts make me sad and seems to have been struggling for a while?

Vicki :

That was awful! I was screaming at her the entire time to let him go.

The Casey Edit :

Awful - I felt so bad

k :

Where was his manager? Yeah he’s an adult but adrenaline crash a real thing. Just think about his stunned no reaction after big win when his team cheering behind him

Kaydgee :

He won more hearts today with that program than if he had won. He DID win gold saving everyone’s butt you in the team event. I’m a bigger fan than I was before

Izz <3 :

I literally refused to watch the interview, I immediately turned off my TV 😭

Jordan :

It’s part of the process win or lose. Relax.

browniebaker :

Well, you’re wrong. He is not “the greatest skating-athlete ever.”