Figure Skating Phenom Ilia Malinin, 21, Aims to Become One of Youngest Men to Win Olympic Gold

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Ilia Malinin, a 21-year-old American figure skater, is making waves in the sport with his ability to consistently land the quadruple axel, a move long considered impossible. Malinin, nicknamed the "Quad God", has already won a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics as part of the U.S. figure skating team event. Now, he is set to compete in the men's singles competition, where he is favored to win the gold medal and potentially become one of the youngest men in history to do so.

Why it matters

Malinin's success at such a young age is a testament to his incredible skill and athleticism. If he wins gold in the men's singles event, he would join an elite group of the youngest male Olympic champions, further solidifying his status as a rising star in the sport of figure skating.

The details

Malinin was born on December 2, 2004 in Fairfax, Virginia, and has been a standout figure skater since a young age. He is currently a student at George Mason University, where he continues to train and compete. In the 2026 Winter Olympics, Malinin has already won a gold medal as part of the U.S. figure skating team event, and he is now set to compete in the men's singles competition, where he is the favorite to take the gold medal.

• Malinin was born on December 2, 2004.
• He won a gold medal as part of the U.S. figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
• Malinin is set to compete in the men's singles competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 13.

What’s next

Malinin will compete in the men's singles figure skating competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 13, where he is favored to win the gold medal.