In the glittering arena of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Ilia Malinin, figure skating’s self-proclaimed “Quad God,” has once again captivated the world. The son of Olympic skaters Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, Malinin, who first graced the ice at six, has rapidly ascended to global stardom. This week, he led the US figure skating squad to a triumphant gold in the team event, delivering a performance that was both technically brilliant and historically resonant.
A Leap into History: The Olympic Backflip
Malinin’s short program was a masterclass, earning him a stellar 108.16 points even without deploying his signature quadruple axel. But it was his audacious finale that truly stole the show: an astounding backflip, legally landed on Olympic ice. This wasn’t merely a flashy move; it marked a significant moment in figure skating history.
For decades, the backflip was a forbidden maneuver. Deemed too dangerous by the International Skating Union (ISU), it was banned in the late 1970s. The prohibition remained until 2024, when the ISU finally lifted the ban, paving the way for a new era of daring artistry. Malinin, ever the innovator, wasted no time in seizing this opportunity, executing the move in competition shortly after the rule change.
The Trailblazers and the Controversy
While Malinin’s legal backflip is groundbreaking, he stands on the shoulders of giants—and controversy. The move that originally prompted the ban was Terry Kubicka’s backflip at the 1976 Olympics. Two decades later, at the 1998 Nagano Games, French skater Surya Bonaly famously landed a one-footed backflip, knowing full well it would cost her points. As she reflected in 2014, her intention was clear: “I wanted to leave a trademark.”
Malinin’s celebrated performance, however, reignited a crucial conversation about equity and recognition within a sport that has historically struggled with diversity. Many observers swiftly highlighted the stark contrast: Malinin, a white male, was lauded for a move for which Bonaly, a Black woman, was penalized 28 years prior. This disparity resonated deeply within the skating community.
When approached by the Associated Press, Bonaly expressed her joy at seeing the backflip return to the Olympic stage. “I broke ice for other skaters,” she stated. “Now everything is different. People welcome anyone as long as they are good and that is what life is about.” Her words, a testament to her enduring spirit, underscore the evolving landscape of figure skating.
The Quad God’s Ultimate Weapon: The Quadruple Axel Awaits
Despite the spectacle of the backflip, the absence of Malinin’s most formidable weapon—the quadruple axel—in the team event has fueled intense speculation. Is he saving it for the men’s free skating competition on Friday, his final performance of these Games?
All signs point to yes. Malinin remains the sole skater in history to successfully land the incredibly challenging quadruple axel in competition. This jump, requiring a forward takeoff and an astonishing four-and-a-half rotations in the air, demands unparalleled height, speed, and precision. It’s a move that consistently electrifies audiences and impresses judges.
As a true showman, it would be entirely in character for Malinin to unleash his ultimate trick during the grand finale. Strategically, saving such a monumental feat for his last turn on the ice is a brilliant move, promising a thrilling conclusion to his Olympic journey. And who knows? Perhaps a few more legal backflips will make an appearance too, cementing his legacy as a true revolutionary of the ice.
This article was originally published in WIRED Italia and has been translated from Italian.
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