When Olympic gold medalists take the field, you'd expect precision, grace, and flawless execution. But when the U.S. figure skating team stepped up to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field on Thursday, they delivered something entirely different: pure, unfiltered entertainment.
Members of the 2026 gold medal-winning squad from Milan descended on New York to cheer on the Mets against the Washington Nationals—and to remind everyone that even world-class athletes have their off days. The results were, shall we say, unforgettable.
Pairs skaters Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea kicked things off with a creative twist: Kam launched the ball from atop O'Shea's shoulders. Unfortunately, the throw sailed wide of catcher Andrew Torgashev. Next up, fan-favorite Ilia Malinin—nicknamed the "Quad God" for his jaw-dropping jumps—managed a more on-target toss, only for Torgashev to drop it. Ouch.
Ice dancer Emilea Zingas was lifted by partner Vadym Kolesnik to catch a pitch from Amber Glenn. Glenn added a graceful jump before releasing a throw that sailed high over Zingas's glove. The crowd couldn't help but laugh.
But redemption came in the form of Evan Bates, part of the silver medal-winning ice dancing duo. Bates delivered a clean overhand pitch that landed perfectly in Jason Brown's glove. The pair celebrated like they'd just clinched another medal—and rightfully so.
The skaters were in town for the Stars on Ice tour, a beloved cross-country showcase that runs in the months following the Olympics. Their next stop: the Prudential Center in New Jersey on Friday, which explains the star-studded detour to Queens.
As for the game itself? The Mets fell 5-4 to the Nationals. But given New York's recent slump—winning just three of their last 20 games—blaming the figure skaters would be a stretch. Sometimes, even elite athletes need a reminder that baseball and ice skating require very different kinds of grace.