Ilia Malinin brought himself into the limelight during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, performing a backflip in the figure skating team event, which was previously banned at the games. Ilia ensured the team from the USA secured the gold medal and has since become a defining image of the event.
Backflips and jumps, including somersaults, had been prohibited since 1976 based on safety concerns. The last American practitioner of the move legally compete in the Olympics was named Terry Kubicka. This, however, changed in June 2024, when the International Skating Union removed the ban, thus clearing the way for the backflip.
Reportedly, now Malinin is preparing for the men's free skate, competing as the gold medal favourite there. Much of the conversation surrounding Malinin has centred around whether or not the men’s figure skater will go for the quadruple axel, considered the most difficult jump in the sport to perform. Malinin has stated that the choice will depend on how he feels physically, stating that he has no desire to take chances.
Who is Ilia Malinin?
Malinin has earned the nickname “Quad God” for his command over quadruple jumps. His programs are built around technical difficulty, often featuring multiple high-value elements that few skaters attempt in a single routine.
While the backflip is not base-point eligible under the current scoring system, Malinin has related that he enjoys incorporating the move, due in part to the crowd’s response.
