NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God”, continued to dazzle fans when he once again showed all his warrior spirit during his final performance at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
Malinin performed a historic backflip to help Team USA win gold in the team event. The measure was banned in 1976, with officials citing safety concerns. Before Malinin, fellow American Terry Kubicka was the last skater to do so legally at the Games.
Malinin will compete in the men’s free skate on Friday and enters as a favorite for gold. I could attempt the first Olympic quadruple axel.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Ilia Malinin of the United States competes during the men’s figure skating short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Malinin acknowledged taking a measured approach on what is widely considered the sport’s most difficult jump.
“I hope I feel well enough to do it (Friday),” he told reporters Tuesday. “But of course I always prioritize health and safety, so I really want to get into the right mindset to feel really confident going into it and not have that as something I’m going to risk.”
WHO IS ILIA MALININ? ‘QUAD GOD’ COULD ALREADY BE ONE OF THE BEST FIGURE SKATERS OF ALL TIME
The International Skating Union (ISU) lifted the ban on somersaults in June 2024, clearing 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 is no longer logical to include them as illegal movements,” said the agenda for an ISU meeting at the time.
Ilia Malinin at center rink during the men’s figure skating short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
While the backflip has no set point value for skaters, Malinin admitted last season that he enjoys performing the maneuver.
“It gets applause from the audience, it creates a lot of suspense and I really like doing it,” he said.
