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Malinin, Minion and Milan’s most emotional moment

The 2026 Olympic figure skating men’s short program, held on Tuesday night, showcased a wide range of performances, spanning from remarkable to emotional and even unusual displays.

Ilia Malinin is poised to continue his strong performance in the men's competition, which resumes on Friday, after taking the lead in the short program.

The men's short program at the Olympic figure skating event on Tuesday night was a spectacle that had everything, from breathtaking moments to emotional performances and unexpected twists.

The standout performer was once again Ilia Malinin from the USA, who delivered a dazzling routine that showcased his technical skill, including a quad flip and a quad lutz, two of the most challenging elements in the sport.

Although Malinin did not successfully land the quad axel, which has earned him the nickname 'Quad God,' his overall performance was enough to secure the top spot in the short program with a score of 108.16.

In contrast to his performance in the team event, where style sometimes overshadowed substance and he made errors, Malinin's routine on Tuesday was marked by its cleanliness and precision, and he even added a backflip to his program.

Japan's Yuma Kagiyama, considered Malinin's main competitor for the top spot, trails by more than five points after a slip on his triple axel.

Kagiyama is currently in second place with a score of 103.07, followed by France's Adam Siao Him Fa, who impressed with a score of 102.55, while Italy's Daniel Grassl, the host nation's best hope for a medal, is in fourth place with 93.46.

As Malinin strives for individual Winter Olympic gold, all eyes are on him, given his undefeated streak in competition, which has lasted almost two and a half years.

Following his impressive performance in the team event free skate, where he scored over 200 points and helped the USA secure team gold on Sunday, it's difficult to bet against Malinin in this event.

Malinin's competitive spirit was evident as he entered the rink, shadowboxing for the cameras, and he brought this same energy to his performance, making a strong statement to his rivals.

The men's event will conclude on Friday evening with the free skate, where Malinin will be the last of the 24 competitors to take the ice.

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Ilia Malinin dazzles the crowd with his performance in the men's short program.

A day-by-day guide to the Winter Olympics is available for those looking to stay up-to-date with the events.

The full schedule, including the timing of medal events, can be found for planning purposes.

The current Winter Olympics 2026 medal table is available for tracking the progress of nations.

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American figure skater Maxim Naumov competes in memory of his late parents.

It's challenging to comprehend the difficulties American skater Maxim Naumov has faced over the past year, particularly the loss of his parents in a tragic plane crash.

Just over a year ago, Naumov's parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, both former world champion pairs skaters, were among the 67 people killed in a plane crash in Washington DC, which also claimed the lives of 28 athletes, coaches, and parents connected to US figure skating.

Naumov has shared that his dream of making Team USA was one of the last things he discussed with his parents before their passing.

In an interview with the BBC after his performance, Naumov expressed his desire to make his parents proud, stating, "They are my superheroes, my role models, and my biggest support system."

Naumov reflected on his father's words, "Everything is practice until it is the Olympics," and how he felt the weight of those words as he competed, wishing to make his parents proud.

Naumov took to the ice on Tuesday, skating to Nocturne No. 20 by Frederic Chopin, and despite a slight slip on his triple axel, he composed himself and delivered a technically sound routine.

As Naumov finished his performance, he was overcome with emotion, looking up to the sky with tears in his eyes as the arena erupted in applause, and he was seen smiling and saying "thank you," possibly to both the audience and his late parents.

Naumov's performance earned him a season-best score of 85.65 points, securing his place in the top 24 and a spot in the free skate on Friday.

As the scores were announced, Naumov held up a picture of himself as a child with his late parents, a poignant moment that highlighted the emotional significance of his participation in the Olympics.

Naumov keeps this picture with him at all times, saying, "It is in my bag, so it is literally right here on my heart," and expressed his desire for his parents to be with him to share in his achievements.

He added, "They deserve to be here, to be right next to me, to look up at the scores together and say: 'Look at what we just did!'"

The BBC will provide live streams, updates on BBC Radio 5 Live, and live text commentary and video highlights on the BBC Sport website and app for those looking to follow the events.

Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate was seen wearing a Minion-themed armband as part of his distinctive look.

One of the most intriguing stories leading up to the Games was that of Sabate, who has been performing to Minions songs while wearing a yellow T-shirt and blue overalls, reminiscent of the characters' outfits.

However, due to a copyright issue, it seemed that Sabate might have to alter his routine for the Olympics, which had been a major part of his performances throughout the 2025-26 season.

After days of negotiations and public support, the issues were resolved, and Sabate was able to perform to his preferred music.

Unfortunately, Sabate's performance was marred by technical errors, starting with a trip on his first element, and despite his unique style, he was unable to recover.

Sabate's score of 69.80 was not enough to advance him to the next round, and he finished in 25th place.

Despite the disappointment, Sabate showed his appreciation for the support he received, bowing to all four sides of the audience as he exited the stage, leaving a lasting impression on the crowd.

Ultimately there were too many technical errors, and a score of 69.80 was not enough to take him through as he finished in 25th place.

But Sabate, who has been keen to thank all those who took up his cause to allow his music at the Games, bowed with gusto to all four sides as one of Milan-Cortina's most memorable characters exited the stage.

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Chaos erupted on the Olympic skating rink, courtesy of the mischievous Minions.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia".
Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

To stay up-to-date on the latest tech news and trends, sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter; international readers can subscribe via an alternative link.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

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