Ilia Malinin Lands First Olympics Backflip in 28 Years
Ilia Malinin made history at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games 2026 by landing the first backflip in Olympic figure skating in 28 years. The American skater achieved this feat during the men’s single skating short program team event on February 7, 2026, at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy.
Historic Backflip by Ilia Malinin
With this remarkable backflip, Malinin cemented his place in Olympic history. The last legally executed backflip at the Winter Olympics was performed by American skater Terry Kubicka in 1976. Following Kubicka’s performance, the International Skating Union (ISU) banned the move for being too dangerous. It wasn’t until 2024 that the ISU lifted this ban, allowing skaters like Malinin to showcase this thrilling maneuver on a grand stage.
Performance Highlights
Malinin, dubbed the “Quad God,” finished with a score of 98.00, securing second place behind Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who scored 108.67. Despite Malinin’s impressive performance, Team USA maintained its lead in the team event with a total of 34 points, just ahead of Japan, which closely trailed with 33 points. Italy currently holds third place with 28 points.
Training and Strategy
In preparation for these Olympics, Malinin has consistently included the backflip in his routines. He made strategic adjustments by replacing his quad Axel with a quad flip for this competition, ensuring he would be well-prepared for his Olympic debut.
- Event: Men’s Single Skating – Short Program
- Date: February 7, 2026
- Location: Milano Ice Skating Arena, Milan, Italy
- Scores:
- Ilia Malinin: 98.00
- Yuma Kagiyama: 108.67
- Current Team Standings:
- Team USA: 34 points
- Team Japan: 33 points
- Team Italy: 28 points
Future Competitions
Looking ahead, Malinin is slated to compete in both the men’s single skating short program and free skate events later in the games. His performance in these events will further determine his legacy as one of the standout athletes of these Winter Olympics.
As the anticipation for Malinin’s upcoming performances builds, he remains a favorite to win multiple gold medals, further solidifying the impact of his historic backflip.
