Ilia Malinin skates with message, 'Is this what you wanted?' at Olympics gala

Ilia Malinin skates with message, 'Is this what you wanted?' at Olympics gala

MILAN — This time there was no Malinin meltdown.

Only Malinin magic.

It was only an exhibition, mind you, not competition with medals and legacy at stake. But Ilia Malinin delivered. Like only a showman on ice skates can.

Two quads.

A backflip.

Balletic artistry, with street cred.

When the four-minute routine ended, the crowd rewarded Malinin with thunderous cheers.

Watch Olympics figure skating on Peacock

There was a touch of sadness, seeing Malinin’s immense talent and artistry only days after an eighth-place finish on the free stake doomed him in the men’s individual competition.

But here, he oozed with confidence. The self-proclaimed "Quad God" vaulting into the air for his signatures quad spins. Not once, but twice, followed by the magical backflip.

He was dressed for the moment too. In a dark hoodie. In dark pants that looked painted white on the front and back.

Shaking his mane of sandy blond hair as he glided across the ice. Truly, it was a moment to behold and reminder of how much skill this 21-year-old American has — and what we might see in 2030, the next time she skates on the Olympic stage.