At the Milano Ice Skating Arena during the recent figure skating competitions, U.S. star Ilia Malinin experienced a disappointing performance, leading him to express a sense of unmet expectations. He stated, "I expected more. We were all very disappointed," reflecting not only his feelings but also those of his fans and supporters. The atmosphere included young volunteers, known as 'Flower Kids,' gathering items thrown by enthusiastic spectators, highlighting the interactive and celebratory nature of the event.

Among these Flower Kids is nine-year-old Ludovica Sciannimanico, who described her enjoyment of the role, stating that it’s essential for her to quickly rush across the ice to collect the gifts without interfering with the skaters. This experience adds a unique layer to the competitions, as young fans actively participate in the celebration of the athletes' performances. Despite the excitement, Ludovica also mentioned that sometimes skaters might not want the gifts, but she still finds joy in her tasks at the event.

This revelation of disappointment from a star athlete like Malinin not only affects his personal career curve but also has wider implications for the audience's expectations and support in figure skating, where every performance can heavily impact an athlete's presence on the international stage. The emotional connection built through such events often wavers with inconsistent performances, leading fans to question their engagement in future competitions, especially when a star fails to meet their high expectations.