Figure skater Ilia Malinin, also known as the “Quad God,” is living up to the hype at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
While the 21-year-old was noticeably off during his short program in the team figure skating event, he returned to the ice and scored 200.03 points in his free skate to secure the team gold medal.
Malinin looked even more at ease during the men’s individual short program, scoring 108.16 — 5.09 points ahead of Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama in second place. “I just felt there was so much pressure,” Malinin told NBC of his Olympic debut. “In that team event short program, I was really overpowered by that environment. I got too excited, and it came back and bit me.”
Malinin is all but assured to secure his second gold medal after his final skate at the Winter Games on February 13. His free skate’s base value is 30 points higher than Kagiyama’s routine.
Even if he doesn’t attempt his signature move — the quadruple axel — it would take a stunning turn of events for him not to win.
GettyU.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin looks to nab his second gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“I don’t want to get too ahead of myself and say that, you know, it’s guaranteed that I’m getting that gold medal,” Malinin said. While the Fairfax, Virginia native keeps his eye on the prize, Team USA sent a very confident message on the skater’s behalf.
Team USA Made a ‘Statement’ on Ilia Malinin During His Olympic Run
After Malinin nailed his short program for the individual competition, he scored 10.16 points higher than he did in the team event, Team USA shared a strong message on social media.
“Statement made. 🇺🇸,” the official account posted on Instagram. “@ilia_quadg0d_malinin does not disappoint.”
Team USA shared in a second post, “@ilia_quadg0d_malinin in command 😤.”
Malinin, who’s coached by his parents, Roman Skorniakov and Tatiana Malinina, along with Rafael Arutunian, looks to be an icon in the sport for years to come.
“I [hope fans] appreciate what they’re seeing with Ilia,” Brian Boitano, the 1988 Olympic gold medalist, told ESPN.“It’s like no matter how easy this looks, and no matter how effortless it might seem, if you put another guy, any other competitor, on the ice and asked them to do the same performance, they wouldn’t even try it because they can’t… It’s something that hasn’t been done before and maybe won’t be done again.”
Fans Hope to See Ilia Malinin Land the Famous Quadruple Axel at the Olympics
GettyFans want to know if Team USA figure skater Ilia Malinin has a girlfriend.
While Malinin has already made his history in Italy, viewers must wait and see if the 5-foot-9 skater becomes the first person to land a quadruple axel at the Olympics.
“Maybe, maybe not. We’ll see,” he told ESPN with a smile. “I’m thinking about it. Thinking not doing it, or doing it. I keep you guys on your toes… Physically, I’m ready. If the time is right, you might see it.”
Malinin, at age 17, first landed the most difficult jump in figure skating in 2022. He already has his eye on nailing “the quint,” a jump with five rotations in the future.
Team USA Sends Message on Ilia Malinin Before Final Skate