US EditionWhy Team USA's Figure Skaters Are so Good It's 'Unheard Of'
Malinin, the first to land a quadruple axel, has landed seven quads in one program and aims to push technical and artistic limits in men's figure skating.
- On February 03, 2026, Ilia Malinin practiced at Milano Ice Skating Arena as he makes his Olympic debut for Team USA, arriving as the heavy favorite in men's figure skating.
- After first showcasing the quad axel in 2022 at the CS U.S. International Classic, Ilia Malinin advanced by landing seven quadruple jumps in one program at the 2025 Grand Prix Final.
- Performance metrics underline this advantage: Malinin's quad axel benefits from greater vertical height and expert technique, and he outscored Mikhail Shaidorov by more than 31 points at the 2025 World Championships.
- If Malinin wins the Olympic title, it would deliver consecutive U.S. men's golds for the first time since 1988 and boost sponsorships and talent development.
- Malinin's rise has already prompted US Figure Skating, coaches and talent scouts to prioritize quadruple jumps, while experts note tension between athleticism and artistry as Malinin seeks to improve his choreography.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Who Is the ‘Quad God’? 5 Things to Know About Ilia Malinin, Including Age, Figure Skating Background & More
The 2026 Olympian is favored to win gold, primarily for his ability to execute the difficult quadruple axel jump on the ice. Learn more about the 'quad god' here.
'Like watching the moon landing': All eyes on US figure skater, 'Quad God' Ilia Malinin at Olympics
U.S. figure skating sensation Ilia Malinin is unlike any other skater in the world, and that will become certain as he steps onto Olympic ice for the first time. Known for pushing the limits of the human body and going where no skater has gone before, the 21-year-old gold medal favorite has already solidified legendary status in the sport, being likened even to GOATs like Michael Jordan. “You think of legends in other sports – Simone Biles, Mich…
Who is the 'Quad God?' American figure skater favored to win gold at Olympics
The self-anointed “Quad God” takes the ice on Saturday. Ilia Malinin, 20, is heavily-favored to win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics thanks to his ability to land the quad axel, a jump once thought unattainable in the sport. He first landed the quadruple axel three years when he was 17 years old, just months after Beijing Olympics. “This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do on the ice,” bronze medal skater Adam Rippon said at the tim…
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