American figure skater Ilia Malinin has captured Olympic gold with a performance that defies conventional wisdom. Even when making mistakes, Malinin's revolutionary jumping ability, dubbed the Quad God, puts him so far ahead of competitors that he still wins decisively.

Malinin's approach to figure skating represents a paradigm shift in the sport. While traditionalists emphasize artistry and precision, the 20-year-old has pioneered a technical revolution, routinely landing quadruple jumps that were once considered impossible. His signature move, the quad axel, remains one of the most difficult elements in skating.

The performance cements America's dominance in men's figure skating and establishes Malinin as the face of the sport for years to come. His success is inspiring a new generation of skaters to push the boundaries of what's physically possible on ice.

However, the Olympics also brought heartbreak for American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, who sustained a complex broken leg during the women's downhill competition. The injury will require multiple surgeries, ending what may be her final Olympic appearance.