Quad God Ilia Malinin Set to Make Olympic Debut

The 21-year-old U.S. figure skating sensation is poised to make history at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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U.S. figure skating star Ilia Malinin, known as the "Quad God" for his unparalleled technical skills, is set to make his highly anticipated Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy. The two-time defending world champion is the first and only skater to land a quadruple axel in competition, and is expected to attempt up to seven quads in his programs, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the sport.

Why it matters

Malinin's Olympic appearance has been years in the making after he was controversially left off the U.S. team for the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Now, the 21-year-old phenom is poised to cement his status as a figure skating legend, with the potential to rewrite the record books and captivate audiences worldwide with his gravity-defying performances.

The details

Malinin, who comes from a family of accomplished figure skaters, is known for his unparalleled technical skills and ability to land jumps that no other skater has attempted. In 2022, he became the first and only skater to land a quadruple axel in competition, a 4.5-rotation jump that was previously thought to be impossible. Malinin is expected to attempt up to seven quads in his Olympic programs, a feat that would solidify his status as the most technically advanced skater in the world.

  • Malinin will make his Olympic debut on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • In 2022, Malinin became the first skater to land a quadruple axel in competition.

The players

Ilia Malinin

A 21-year-old U.S. figure skating sensation known as the "Quad God" for his unparalleled technical skills, including being the first and only skater to land a quadruple axel in competition.

Rafael Arutyunyan

Malinin's Hall of Fame coach, who previously coached Olympic gold medalist Nathan Chen.

Tatiana Malinina

Malinin's Russian-born mother, who competed at the 1998 Olympics for Uzbekistan and won the prestigious Grand Prix Final the following year.

Roman Skorniakov

Malinin's Russian-born father, who competed for Uzbekistan at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics.

Valery Malinin

Malinin's grandfather, who competed for the Soviet Union and still coaches in Russia.

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What they’re saying

“You think of legends in other sports - Simone Biles, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods - Ilia Malinin is that for figure skating. He's done elements that we never thought we'd see in our lifetime. Every time we watch him skate it's like watching the moon landing.”

— Johnny Weir, Commentator (NBC Olympics)

“His greatness isn't a single trait. It's an intangible fusion of mindset, athleticism, grit, precision and technique. He defies gravity.”

— Jason Brown, Olympic medalist and figure skater (NBC Chicago)

“Even as a skater I struggle to comprehend how he does what he does. We all do.”

— Jason Brown, Olympic medalist and figure skater (NBC Chicago)

“He's the only person that can land seven quads in a program and he's going to attempt that [in Italy].”

— Johnny Weir, Commentator (NBC Olympics)

“With my team, we've been planning a strategic plan to prepare myself mentally and physically, so when I get to the Olympics, that's when I'm at my peak. We've talked for months, and managing what I train and how I train specifically, and what I'm going to do at all the competitions leading up to the Olympics.”

— Ilia Malinin (The Associated Press)

What’s next

Malinin is expected to attempt up to seven quadruple jumps in his Olympic programs, a feat that would cement his status as the most technically advanced figure skater in the world. All eyes will be on the 21-year-old sensation as he takes the ice in Milan, with the potential to rewrite the record books and captivate audiences worldwide.

The takeaway

Ilia Malinin's Olympic debut represents a transformative moment for figure skating, as the young American phenom pushes the boundaries of what's possible in the sport. His unparalleled technical skills and gravity-defying performances have the potential to inspire a new generation of skaters and captivate fans around the globe, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport.