Aleksandr Selevko began his short program at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics with a strong performance, executing a solid quadruple toe loop and a nice triple axel. However, his luck turned when he fell during a triple lutz, causing him to miss out on significant points. Despite this mishap, he finished his program solidly, earning a total of 82.02 points, which was sufficient for him to advance to the free skate. It is noted that he missed out on approximately eight additional points due to the fall.

In contrast, French skater Adam Siao Him Fa made a remarkable impression, setting a new personal best with a score of 102.55 points to take the lead. His performance included an innovative move, a backward flip, which had not been seen in Olympic competition since 1976, drawing significant attention. Although additional points are not awarded for the backflip, Malinin's skill level was acknowledged by the judges, underscoring a competitive atmosphere at the event.

The results highlight the intense competition at the Olympics and the high stakes involved in figure skating, where performances can be drastically affected by a single misstep. Selevko's ability to recover and still qualify for the next round demonstrates not only his skill but also his potential to perform under pressure, a crucial trait for any athlete on the Olympic stage.