Olympic Fans Wow Over Team USA Skater Ilia Malinin's On-Ice Backflip

Ilia Malinin of Team USA surprised spectators with a backflip at his 2026 Winter Olympics debut in the men's singles figure skating event on February 7. The move garnered much attention and praise from fans and fellow skaters alike.

Decades have passed since backflips were last seen in Olympic figure skating. The ban on the move was lifted by the International Skating Union in 2024, allowing Malinin to showcase his skills at the current Winter Olympics.

During his routine, Malinin scored 98.00 points, securing second place behind Japanese skater Yuma Kagiyama. Despite this, his performance contributed to Team USA maintaining its lead in the team event standings, with Japan and Italy following closely behind.

Malinin's Olympic Journey

Malinin, also known as "The Quad God," shared his pre-competition mindset, highlighting his human side and emphasizing his focus on maintaining a balanced approach without succumbing to external pressures.

Looking beyond individual success, Malinin aims to revitalize interest in figure skating and bring back its former popularity, hoping to inspire a new generation of fans during the Winter Olympics in Milan.