Figure Skater Ilia Malinin Aims for Olympic Gold

The 21-year-old American is making history with his quadruple axel jumps.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Ilia Malinin, a 21-year-old figure skater from Virginia, is competing for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy. Malinin has already made history as the only skater, male or female, to successfully land a quadruple axel jump in competition, earning him the nickname "the Quad God." Malinin's parents, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, are also former Olympic figure skaters who now coach their son.

Why it matters

Malinin's impressive skating skills and ability to land the extremely difficult quadruple axel jump have made him a rising star in the figure skating world. His performance at the 2026 Olympics could help bring more attention and excitement to the sport.

The details

Malinin began figure skating at age 6 and made his international debut in 2019, placing 16th at the World Junior Championships. He has since won medals at competitions around the world. In addition to his quadruple axel, Malinin is known for performing back flips during his routines.

  • Ilia Malinin was born on December 2, 2004 in Fairfax, Virginia.
  • Malinin made his international debut in 2019 at the World Junior Championships.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place from February 6-22 in Milano-Cortina, Italy.

The players

Ilia Malinin

A 21-year-old American figure skater competing for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics, known for being the first skater to land a quadruple axel jump in competition.

Tatiana Malinina

Ilia Malinin's mother and one of his coaches, who competed in figure skating at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics.

Roman Skorniakov

Ilia Malinin's father and one of his coaches, who competed in figure skating at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics representing Uzbekistan.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Malinin will compete in the individual figure skating competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he will look to win a gold medal.

The takeaway

Ilia Malinin's historic quadruple axel jumps and impressive skating skills have made him a rising star in figure skating, and his performance at the 2026 Olympics could help bring more attention and excitement to the sport.