Backflips, Spins, and Kung Fu Panda Shine at Olympic Figure Skating Gala

MILAN — Ice skating concluded at the2026 Winter OlympicsWith a dazzling display of glamour, flips, spins, and skill at the figure skating exhibition gala. The sport's medal winners and top stars joined together to enjoy themselves on the ice and deliver a performance for a full audience at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

That encompassed the entire Team USA performing together as gold medalists. Individually,Amber Glennuncovered her Madonna routine,Ilia Malinin did four back flips, Madison Chock and Evan Batesglided smoothly with a white sheet, andAlysa LiuHer joy overflowed once more. Oh, and one gold medalist transformed into aKung Fu panda. What?!

The athletes' routines, along with "modern and interactive content, utilizing projections, LED screens, and lighting design," as mentioned in the Milano Cortina Games show summary.

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A recording of the exhibition gala is available to watch on NBC and Peacock. Check below for live updates from USA TODAY Sports.

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Figure skating performance gala photos

Alysa Liu once again brings happiness to the Olympic Games

Alysa Liu struggled to keep her eyes open the day following her victory in the Olympic figure skating singles event.

Well, she was fully awake at the event. And no one dared to take a nap as she stepped onto the ice wearing a blue dress.

Only one triple was performed, yet she displayed elegance and a touch of flair while skating to "Stateside" featuring Zara Larsson by PinkPantheress.

She spoke eagerly about performing at the gala. Although her performance wasn't as vibrant as Ilia Malinin's, she left the audience with something to ponder before the 2030 event.

Is Will Liu returning to the Olympic stage?

Will she protect her gold?

It's likely premature to determine the outcome as she completed her last spins on Milan's ice.

Olympic champion transformed into a Kung Fu panda

What's next after winning a gold medal in men's figure skating? If you're Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan, you end up on the ice wearing a panda suit and get attacked by Deadpool and a Mortal Kombat character.Learn more about the funny show.

Ilia Malinin conveys a message through his gala performance

Ilia Malinin stepped onto the ice as phone alerts buzzed and cameras clicked.

Then, silence.

Malinin, in his first solo skating appearanceSince he dropped from first to eighth in the men's free skate, he gave a diverse and eerie performance at the gala that brought his demons onto the ice, but this time, there was no "Fear."

Skating to the NF song, Malinin wore a gray sweatshirt and black jeans, appearing as though he was being pulled along while the lyrics "like a puppet with strings, I just don't have a choice" echoed through the arena.

"Did you want this?" the song concluded.

The audience remained standing in solidarity as Malinin waved.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates perform with elegance, on ice

A married pair, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, infused emotion into their performance on the ice while skating to "Once I Was Loved" by Melody Gardot.

They creatively utilized a white sheet that kept them tethered, with Chock being wrapped and unwrapped as Bates held the other end of the prop.

Was this their final Olympic performance? It's unclear since Chock is 33 and Bates is 36. However, the American pair, who won a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, showcased a graceful artistry as they prepare to leave Milan.

Team USA adds vigor to the performance

Ilia Malinin, joined by his team that secured the gold medal, performed his signature moves: a quadruple jump, followed by a backflip, and concluded with a raspberry twist.

Play "Free Bird." And, while we're on the subject, let's "Feel This Moment" with "We Will Rock You."

Seven members of the U.S. skating team glided across the ice in a joyful, coordinated performance, their hair loose, set to an energetic music sequence.

"American Woman," or women, Amber Glenn and Alysa Liu also performed together toBeyoncé’s "Diva.”

Malinin remained for the following performance so that Estonian figure skater Niina Petrõkina, who was skating to the musical Chicago's "Cell Block Tango," could shoot him with a finger gun.

Jackie Chan and pandas at the event Jackie Chan alongside giant pandas at the ceremony Jackie Chan seen with pandas during the gala Jackie Chan and pandas at the formal gathering Jackie Chan meeting pandas at the event

Renowned actor and martial artist Jackie Chan, carrying two panda plush toys, praised the athletes showcasing their skills at the exhibition performance.

"I'm truly honored to be here," he stated, followed by offering the audience "health" and "happiness," and extending "love and peace" to the world for the Chinese New Year.

Amber Glenn's exhibition gala performance

Glenn emerged in a glittering black outfit to skate to "That's Life" by Lady Gala. She skated with ease and happiness, her hair flowing freely, and successfully executed jumps that earned cheers from the audience. This might be Glenn's last appearance on an Olympic stage. At 26, she became the oldest U.S. women's skater to make the Olympic team since 1928.

What is the gala exhibition?

It's a spectacular closing event allowing fans to witness the top figure skaters one last time on the ice. This year, the Milano Cortina organizers describe it as a "celebration of athletes and their journeys — narratives filled with passion, dedication, and most importantly, bravery. The bravery to recognize their abilities, to persevere, and to transform those challenges into their life's mission."

"But it's also a motivation — for the fans who will watch the Games — to never give up on chasing their dreams, no matter what they are," the Games' promotional summary states.

The description aligns with the athletes' personal narratives, as their challenges and mental health became prominent alongside their skills. Ilia Malinin discussed his "invisible struggles" following a fall in the men's free skate that resulted in an eighth-place finish. Amber Glenn also shared the criticism she encountered for expressing her support of the LGBTQ community, while overcoming a tough short program. Alysa Liu secured an Olympic gold medal after having stepped away from the sport entirely two years prior.

Complete list of skaters, start times, and music for the showcase gala

The program is divided into four sections, with a break following the first two. Here are the start times and music for all of Team USA's skaters:

Amber Glenn: 8:32 p.m., "That's Life" by Lady Gaga
Team USA: 9:17 PM, "We Will Rock You" by Queen, "Diva" by Beyoncé, "Feel This Moment" by Pitbull, "American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz, "Free Bird" by Moonlight
Madison Chock and Evan Bates:9:48 p.m., "Once I Was Loved" by Melody Gardot
Ilia Malinin: 10:02 PM, "FEAR" by NF
Alysa Liu:10:23 p.m., "Stateside" (featuring Zara Larsson) by PinkPantheress

View the complete schedule of skaters including start times and music.

Key components of the series

The program consists of the following key components, as outlined in the summary:

An opening number showcasing a main character: Carolina Kostner, an Italian icon in the world of figure skating. She will dance in a duet with a 3D projection, in a piece that combines grace, imagination, and contemporary elements.
The performances of individual athletes competing in this year's Winter Olympic Games. The athletes will be split into four groups, each showcasing a thematic section based on the opening act.
A group performance featuring the hosting team (Team Italy) and the victorious team (Team USA).
The classic Grand Finale, in which all athletes come back to the ice for a group performance and final acknowledgments.

Who is Carolina Kostner?

Kostner is a renowned figure skater from Italy. She has achieved numerous firsts for her country and won a bronze medal at the 2014 Olympics. Additionally, she was the world champion in 2012 and earned medals at five other World Championships. She has been crowned European champion five times and holds 11 medals overall in that competition, making her the most decorated skater in its history. She has also been the Italian national champion nine times and won a bronze medal at the 2003 World Junior Championships.

The four segments of the figure skating exhibition gala

Each athlete was placed in one of four performances during the competition. The gold medalists participate in the final act, following established tradition. Here are the names of each act:

ACT 1: A dreamlike journey
ACT 2:Everything is fresh. Everything shines.
Special performance: Hosting Team
Intermission
Special performance: Winning Team
ACT 3: This is the challenge
ACT 4: Becoming one

Describing the opening performance of the Olympic figure skating gala

As per the show's description, the act is a narrative, "a symbol of the bond between an athlete and their ability — the two primary figures in the performance"

At the start of the performance, the athlete is portrayed by Italian skater Carolina Kostner. The talent is depicted using light projections, which "form an abstract figure that engages with the athlete."

There are four segments, each lasting one minute. Between each segment, the colors shift, and the projections depicting the talent evolve in form, texture, and pace, accompanied by original music and lighting changes. Prior to the last segment, Kostner's outfit will also change.

Here are the details of each section as provided by the Milano Cortina organizers:

Segment 1 - A surreal voyageA young girl steps onto the ice for the first time; she examines it as if it were a blank page, through moments of falling and learning, until a mysterious line (the visual symbol of talent) emerges before her. It marks the start of a silent game, full of wonder, motion, and an increasing bond. This stage signifies the start of the athlete's journey: the exploration of a new world and its components.
Segment 2 – Everything is fresh. Everything shines:The skater and the line move in tandem, then start to interact and perform together. From this meeting, a strong harmony develops: skill becomes more defined, as if it had always been present and is now being acknowledged. This stage marks the time when the athlete begins to feel secure with the sport, explores new possibilities, and enjoys the process.
Segment 3 – Here's the challenge:When that enthusiasm becomes a career, it ceases to be merely a pastime. It transforms into hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. Natural ability can become burdensome. Yet, it is through adversity that resilience is developed. They are no longer simply dancing in unison — they are evolving together. This stage marks the point where things become serious: the athlete possesses all the necessary qualities to compete at the top level, and thus, sacrifices, challenges, and rigorous effort come into play — endeavors that can occasionally seem daunting.
Segment 4 – Achieving UnityWhen we cease resisting our abilities and instead accept them, moving towards our purpose, the conflict disappears. Each action becomes effortless, each movement originates from within. And when talent finds its place, blending with the skater, it no longer exists independently — transforming into a radiant path behind her as she glows with a fresh brilliance. The last stage signifies the point at which the athlete achieves harmony with their talent: they let go, unite with it, and extract the greatest potential from it.

USA Today at the Milano Cortina Games

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The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have officially begun, featuring 16 sports spread across more than 25 venues. The events are being broadcast exclusively on NBC's network lineup, with numerous competitions available live on its streaming platform, Peacock, which you can access. sign up for here .

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This piece first was published on USA TODAY:Backflips, spins, and Kung Fu Panda featured in the Olympic figure skating exhibition gala

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