Ilia Malinin Figure Skating

American figure skating star Ilia Malinin's shocking 8th place finish and historic backflip on Olympic ice became major talking points.

Trending on February 17, 2026

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49 posts from the past week

Who can you spot? 👀 The last practice jumps on Olympic ice 🌪️🧊 #MilanFigureSkating

52.1M views

@olympicsFeb 13

Who can you spot? 👀 The last practice jumps on Olympic ice 🌪️🧊 #MilanFigureSk...

275.4K likes1.3K comments0.5% eng.

Dreams always come true! ✨ MilanoCortina2026

5.8M views

@olympicsFeb 11

Dreams always come true! ✨ MilanoCortina2026

71.3K likes1.0K comments1.2% eng.

The smile on their faces at the end says it all! ❤️⛸️ #milanocortina2026

3.2M views

@olympicsFeb 15

The smile on their faces at the end says it all! ❤️⛸️ #milanocortina2026

58.0K likes501 comments1.8% eng.

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, American figure skating star Ilia Malinin delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the Games — landing the once-banned backflip on Olympic ice. ❄️🔥

The move had been outlawed since 1976, after Terry Kubicka performed it at the 1976 Winter Olympics, leading the International Skating Union to prohibit the jump over safety concerns. Nearly five decades later, the rule was finally lifted in 2024 — reopening the door for history to repeat itself.

Malinin didn’t just bring the backflip back — he used it with purpose. Strategically placed in his program, and paired with his signature quadruple axel, the move helped power Team USA to gold. What was once considered a reckless stunt became a calculated weapon, further cementing Malinin’s dominance and pushing modern figure skating into a new era. 🏅✨

#Olympics #FigureSkating #MilanCortina2026 #TeamUSA

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@vacationsFeb 13

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, American...

26.4K likes829 comments1.3% eng.

Ilia Malinin's first thought after finishing 8th in free skate. The gold medal favorite finished in 8th place after entering first going into Friday's event. #olympics #winter #winterolympics

2.1M views

@yahoosportsFeb 13

Ilia Malinin's first thought after finishing 8th in free skate. The gold medal...

144.1K likes483 comments6.9% eng.

He never fails to impress! 🤩

Ilia Malinin claims the top spot in the short program, moving forward to the men’s singles final!

#MilanFigureSkating #FigureSkating #Olympics #WinterOlympics #MilanoCortina2026

1.2M views

@olympicsFeb 11

He never fails to impress! 🤩 Ilia Malinin claims the top spot in the short pro...

96.6K likes862 comments7.8% eng.

BREAKING: American figure skater Ilia Malinin will skate in the Olympic exhibition gala on Saturday. He has also committed to compete at the world championships, where he is the two-time defending champion, held in Prague next month, per @cbrennansports.

1.1M views

@yahoosportsFeb 15

BREAKING: American figure skater Ilia Malinin will skate in the Olympic exhibiti...

43.8K likes578 comments0.0% eng.

Nathan Chen reflects on Ilia Malinin’s rough night, sharing his own experience and the pressure he faced from 2018.

861.6K views

@yahoosportsFeb 14

Nathan Chen reflects on Ilia Malinin’s rough night, sharing his own experience a...

46.0K likes614 comments5.4% eng.

🗣️ "Obviously a disappointment", Ilia Malinin reflects on his figure skating men's final. ⛸️

Follow the Winter Olympics live on @NBCOlympics.

#Olympics #MilanoCortina2026 #WinterOlympics #FigureSkating

674.3K views

@olympicsFeb 14

🗣️ "Obviously a disappointment", Ilia Malinin reflects on his figure skating me...

42.0K likes1.2K comments6.4% eng.

Kagiyama Yuma. ❤️✨

Hitting the ice last, he delivered a stunning performance, bringing the men’s singles short program to a perfect close!

#MilanoCortina2026 #MilanFigureSkating #FigureSkating #Olympics

#10

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@olympicsFeb 11

Kagiyama Yuma. ❤️✨ Hitting the ice last, he delivered a stunning performance, b...

34.0K likes401 comments6.8% eng.

Strong short programs from Team USA put BOTH teams in the top 10 yesterday and now it’s time for the free skate. 🇺🇸

Cheering loud for @dannyoshea213, @elliekam.w, @chopstickspin and @spence_howe.
#WinterOlympics

#11

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@teamusaFeb 16

Strong short programs from Team USA put BOTH teams in the top 10 yesterday and n...

17.9K likes233 comments0.0% eng.

#12

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@teamusaFeb 11

Ilia Malinin After His Short Program

5.1K likes148 comments1.5% eng.

Ilia Malinin blazes to top spot after Olympic short program

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@teamusaFeb 11

Ilia Malinin blazes to top spot after Olympic short program

4.8K likes347 comments1.5% eng.

USA's Ilia Malinin FALLS in SHOCKING free skate on Day 7 of Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026

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@cbcsportsFeb 13

USA's Ilia Malinin FALLS in SHOCKING free skate on Day 7 of Olympic Winter Games...

1.7K likes881 comments0.8% eng.

Some beautiful moments on Olympic ice for Team Canada's pairs figure skaters✨⛸️⁣
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Lia Pereira & Trennt Michaud delivered a top 3 performance in the short program. 🤩 Don't miss them and Deanna Stellato-Dudek & Maxime Deschamps in the free skate tomorrow! ⁣
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De beaux moments sur la glace olympique pour les patineurs en couple d’Équipe Canada ✨⛸️⁣
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Lia Pereira et Trennt Michaud ont réalisé une performance dans le top 3 lors du programme court 🤩 Ne les manquez pas, ainsi que Deanna Stellato-Dudek et Maxime Deschamps, lors du programme libre demain!

#15

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@teamcanadaFeb 16

Some beautiful moments on Olympic ice for Team Canada's pairs figure skaters✨⛸️⁣...

12.8K likes28 comments0.0% eng.

Kurt Browning REACTS to Ilia Malinin’s Olympic UPSET

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@cbcsportsFeb 14

Kurt Browning REACTS to Ilia Malinin’s Olympic UPSET

3.4K likes993 comments1.4% eng.

It’s always a show with Ilia Malinin ⛸️ #milanocortina2026 #olympics #iliamalinin

#17

294.0K views

@cbcsportsFeb 10

It’s always a show with Ilia Malinin ⛸️ #milanocortina2026 #olympics #iliamalini...

21.6K likes101 comments7.4% eng.

Pure elegance. ⛸️

@isabeau.levito floats through the women’s short program with grace, control, and effortless artistry.

#WinterOlympics

#18

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@teamusaFeb 17

Pure elegance. ⛸️ @isabeau.levito floats through the women’s short program with...

10.4K likes131 comments0.0% eng.

Double the dazzle! ✨

Join us live on @peacock and @usanetwork for the figure skating pairs short program. #WinterOlympics

#19

237.9K views

@teamusaFeb 15

Double the dazzle! ✨ Join us live on @peacock and @usanetwork for the figure sk...

5.7K likes22 comments2.4% eng.

It’s always a show with Ilia Malinin ⛸️

#milanocortina2026

#20

219.4K views

@cbc.sportsFeb 10

It’s always a show with Ilia Malinin ⛸️ #milanocortina2026

11.7K likes23 comments5.4% eng.

Welcome back, NAFTA. 🇲🇽🇺🇸🇨🇦⁣
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Mexico's Donovan Carillo, United States' Ilia Malinin and Canada's Piper Gilles watched the pairs' short program at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games on Sunday. ⛸️⁣
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Obsessed. What do you think they were talking about? 🥹⁣
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#figureskating #icedance #sports #teamcanada #teamusa #milanocortina2026

#21

193.5K views

@thegistcaFeb 16

Welcome back, NAFTA. 🇲🇽🇺🇸🇨🇦⁣ ⁣ Mexico's Donovan Carillo, United States' Il...

7.7K likes15 comments0.0% eng.

Kurt Browning joins Ariel Helwani and reacts to Ilia Malinin’s shocking eighth-place finish in men’s figure skating at Milano Cortina 2026 #TheLead presented by Access Storage #GrassrootsToGoldMedals #CanadianStorage

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@cbcsportsFeb 14

Kurt Browning joins Ariel Helwani and reacts to Ilia Malinin’s shocking eighth-p...

3.4K likes371 comments2.1% eng.

Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov moves into first with free skate performance | Milano Cortina 2026

#23

154.9K views

@cbcsportsFeb 13

Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov moves into first with free skate performance | Mi...

1.8K likes249 comments1.3% eng.

What happened to Ilia Malinin? High performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais weighs in after a stunning result in men's figure skating.

#WinterOlympics #MilanCortinaOlympics

#24

146.9K views

@findingmasteryFeb 14

What happened to Ilia Malinin? High performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais...

4.4K likes161 comments3.1% eng.

After a pre-Games injury, Deanna Stellato-Dudek & Maxime Deschamps are ready to shine on Olympic ice ✨⁣
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Don’t miss them in the pairs short program this Sunday!! ⛸️⁣
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Après une blessure avant les Jeux, Deanna Stellato-Dudek et Maxime Deschamps sont prêts à briller sur la glace olympique ✨⁣
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Ne les manquez pas lors du programme court en couples ce dimanche !! ⛸️

#25

141.1K views

@teamcanadaFeb 13

After a pre-Games injury, Deanna Stellato-Dudek & Maxime Deschamps are ready to...

5.6K likes30 comments0.0% eng.

Quad Axels or Quad Muscles? Team USA's Ilia Malinin asks @Google Search which sports make BIG quads. Thanks Ilia Malinin for the partnership!

#26

120.9K views

@googleFeb 11

Quad Axels or Quad Muscles? Team USA's Ilia Malinin asks @Google Search which sp...

8.7K likes58 comments7.2% eng.

GOLDEN GAMBLE: U.S. men's figure skater "Quad God" Ilia Mali...

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@FoxNewsFeb 13

GOLDEN GAMBLE: U.S. men's figure skater "Quad God" Ilia Malinin could make histo...

994 likes81 comments1.2% eng.

#28

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@foxnewsFeb 13

GOLDEN GAMBLE: U.S. men's figure skater "Quad God" Ilia Malinin could make histo...

706 likes120 comments1.4% eng.

“So many things went wrong that we have never seen from Ilia” CBC Olympic figure skating analyst Carol Lane breaks down a stunning men’s singles figure skating event which saw U.S. star Ilia Malinin fall twice in the free skate and finish eighth overall #olympics #figureskating #milanocortina2026 #FasterHigherStronger presented by @Bell Canada

#29

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@cbcsportsFeb 14

“So many things went wrong that we have never seen from Ilia” CBC Olympic figur...

879 likes23 comments1.9% eng.

Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps will make their anticipated Olympic debut in the pairs short program. ⛸⁣
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The competition begins at 1:45 p.m. Don't miss it! 🌟⁣
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Deanna Stellato-Dudek et Maxime Deschamps feront leurs débuts olympiques tant attendus au programme court en couples. ⛸⁣
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La compétition débutera à 13 h 45 HE. À ne pas manquer!

#30

41.6K views

@teamcanadaFeb 15

Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps will make their anticipated Olympic d...

1.1K likes13 comments2.7% eng.

Ilia Malinin's first thoughts after finishing 8th in free sk...

#31

38.9K views

@DKSportsbookFeb 13

Ilia Malinin's first thoughts after finishing 8th in free skate...

275 likes29 comments0.8% eng.

Nathan Chen Breaks Down Ilia Malinin’s Olympic Collapse

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38.7K views

@yahoosportsFeb 16

Nathan Chen Breaks Down Ilia Malinin’s Olympic Collapse

496 likes191 comments1.8% eng.

Team USA Delivers in Pairs Short Program

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@teamusaFeb 16

Team USA Delivers in Pairs Short Program

1.0K likes30 comments2.9% eng.

Ilia Malinin takes two falls in his final skate and misses o...

#34

33.9K views

@TheAthleticFeb 13

Ilia Malinin takes two falls in his final skate and misses out on the podium. H...

251 likes20 comments0.8% eng.

Opening new possibilities on ice | Ilia Malinin | Samsung

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@samsungFeb 11

Opening new possibilities on ice | Ilia Malinin | Samsung

763 likes28 comments2.4% eng.

#36

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@googleFeb 11

Quad Axels or Quad Muscles?

699 likes57 comments2.5% eng.

Ilia Malinin's First Look | Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition | Samsung

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@samsungFeb 11

Ilia Malinin's First Look | Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition | Samsung

672 likes17 comments2.6% eng.

Watch the Quad God go for gold today at 1 p.m. ET! ⛸️⁣
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Today's the day – 21-year-old American Ilia Malinin, who leads the men’s individual figure skating competition following Tuesday’s short program, will skate for gold. 🥇⁣
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The quad axel – a jump that features four and a half rotations – is the most difficult skill in figure skating. It’s so hard that only one person has ever landed it in competition, and that’s Malinin. 👀⁣
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The Quad God notably has yet to perform the skill in Milan. Will he pull it out of his bag of tricks today? Find out when he goes for gold, and looks to write another chapter in his growing legend. 👏⁣
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#menssports #figureskating #iliamalinin #teamusa #milanocortina2026

#38

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@thegistcaFeb 13

Watch the Quad God go for gold today at 1 p.m. ET! ⛸️⁣ ⁣ Today's the day – 21-ye...

529 likes3 comments2.0% eng.

Ilia Malinin declares fearlessness as his greatest strength....

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@TheAthleticFeb 12

Ilia Malinin declares fearlessness as his greatest strength. It takes audacity t...

22 likes8 comments0.1% eng.

When Ilia Malinin reaches the apex of a vertical leap, he is spinning at 350 revolutions per minute—about the same as a kitchen stand mixer or the marine engine of an oil tanker, Sally Jenkins reports. Jenkins spoke with Malinin ahead of the Winter Olympics to learn more about how the 21-year-old figure skater is transforming his sport—and what he’s planning next. Read more from The Atlantic’s March issue at the link in our bio. 🎨: OK McCausland

#40

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@theatlanticFeb 13

When Ilia Malinin reaches the apex of a vertical leap, he is spinning at 350 rev...

2.2K likes19 comments11.2% eng.

Sophie Cunningham warns of WNBA LOCKOUT & REACTS to Bad Bunny's NFL halftime show | West Wilson

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@showme_podFeb 12

Sophie Cunningham warns of WNBA LOCKOUT & REACTS to Bad Bunny's NFL halftime sho...

934 likes244 comments7.0% eng.

At the Winter Olympics, Ilia Malinin joined a lengthy list o...

#42

14.8K views

@TheAthleticFeb 16

At the Winter Olympics, Ilia Malinin joined a lengthy list of sports people who...

47 likes11 comments0.4% eng.

After a disappointing fall to finish 8th in figure skating,...

#43

13.5K views

@FDSportsbookFeb 13

After a disappointing fall to finish 8th in figure skating, Ilia Malinin still s...

63 likes4 comments0.5% eng.

Even after a disappointing showing, Ilia Malinin made sure t...

#44

13.4K views

@DraftKingsFeb 13

Even after a disappointing showing, Ilia Malinin made sure to go right over to M...

173 likes8 comments1.4% eng.

4.5 rotations in under 1 second? Just wow. If you’re wondering how Team USA’s Ilia Malinin pulls it off, search with AI Mode.

#45

7.1K views

@googleFeb 13

4.5 rotations in under 1 second? Just wow. If you’re wondering how Team USA’s Il...

196 likes17 comments3.0% eng.

The Ilia Malinin Story! 🥇

▫️Early Life

- Born in Fairfax, Virginia, to a family of elite figure skaters, Malinin’s path seemed destined.

- His mother, Tatiana Malinina, competed for Uzbekistan at the 1998 Olympics, won the 1999 Grand Prix Final and claimed 10 Uzbek national championships.

- His father, Roman Skorniakov, also represented Uzbekistan at the 1998 and 2002 Olympics (after starting for Russia) and won seven national titles.

▫️Junior Skating Career

Malinin’s junior career was stellar:

- Multiple U.S. juvenile and intermediate titles (2016–2017).

- 2019 U.S. novice bronze.

- Gold at 2019 Philadelphia Summer International (junior debut).

- Two Junior Grand Prix golds (2021).

- 2022 World Junior champion, setting junior records

▫️Skating Career

- 2022 U.S. Championships: Silver (missed Olympics due to tiebreaker, sparking some controversy, but he rebounded strongly).

- 2022 CS U.S. International Classic: Landed the first quadruple Axel in international competition at age 17

Since then, he’s been nearly unbeatable:

- Youngest men’s Skate America champion (2022).

- Four-time U.S. national champion (2023–2026).

- Two-time World champion (2024, 2025).

- Three-time Grand Prix Final champion (2023–24 to 2025–26).

- Seven-time Grand Prix gold medalist.

▫️Why is he called the “Quad God”

- Malinin’s superpower is quad jumping. He’s the only skater to land all six quad types (toe loop, Salchow, loop, flip, Lutz, Axel) in one free skate—and he’s done it multiple times.

- Quad Axel: The hardest jump (4.5 rotations, forward takeoff). He landed it cleanly first in 2022 and has repeated it, including in short programs and combos.

- Record seven clean quads in a free skate (2025–26 Grand Prix Final).

- Quad-quad combinations routinely.

- Added a legal backflip in 2024–25 (after ISU rule change).

▫️Legacy

- At 21, Malinin has already changed the sport—pushing technical boundaries while inspiring a new generation. Fellow skaters call him “on another planet.” Whether he wins Olympic gold today or not, his impact as the Quad God is cemented. He’s the benchmark in men’s figure skating.

(Follow @snapbacksports_ for more)

#46

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@snapbacksports_Feb 13

The Ilia Malinin Story! 🥇 ▫️Early Life - Born in Fairfax, Virginia, to a fami...

248 likes0 comments0.0% eng.

Everything You Missed From Day 4 Of 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics!

#47

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@yahoosportsFeb 11

Everything You Missed From Day 4 Of 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics!

37 likes1 comments0.7% eng.

Everything You Missed From Day 7 Of 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics!

#48

2.4K views

@yahoosportsFeb 14

Everything You Missed From Day 7 Of 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics!

23 likes5 comments1.2% eng.

Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham DEBATES: Does NBA need more fights?! | West Wilson

#49

1.4K views

@showme_podFeb 16

Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham DEBATES: Does NBA need more fights?! | West Wi...

72 likes11 comments6.1% eng.

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