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Ilia Malinin, known as ‘Quad God’, continued to dazzle fans by once again putting his warrior spirit on full display in his latest performance at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
Malinin pulled off a historic backflip to help Team USA win gold in the team event. The move was banned in 1976, with authorities citing security concerns. Before Malinin, fellow American Terry Kubicka was the last skater to legally succeed at the Games.
Malinin will compete in Friday’s men’s free skate and will be the favorite for gold. He could attempt the first Olympic quadruple axel.
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Ilia Malinin of the United States competes in the men’s figure skating short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, February 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Malinin acknowledged taking a measured approach to what is widely considered the sport’s most difficult jump.
“I hope I feel well enough to do it (Friday),” he told reporters on Tuesday. “But, of course, I always prioritize health and safety, so I really want to get myself in the right mindset where I feel really confident going into it and not looking at it as something I’m going to risk.”
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The International Skating Union (ISU) lifted the ban on somersaults in June 2024, paving the way for the backflip to return to skating’s biggest stage.
Ilia Malinin performs a trick during the men’s figure skating short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
“Somersault-type jumps are very spectacular and today it no longer makes sense to include them as illegal movements,” an ISU meeting agenda said at the time.
Ilia Malinin at center ice during the men’s figure skating short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Although the backflip does not have a fixed value for skaters, last season Malinin admitted that he enjoys performing this maneuver.
“It gets applause from the audience, it’s really suspenseful and I really enjoy doing it,” he said.
