Ilia Malinin Makes Olympic Debut: ‘Quad God’ Secures Second in Team Event Short Program

MILAN, 08 February 2026 – American figure skating sensation Ilia Malinin has officially made his Winter Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. The 21-year-old, widely known as the ‘Quad God’, finished in second place during the men’s short program segment of the team event on Saturday evening, 07 February 2026.

A Strategic Start in Milan

Malinin, the reigning two-time World Champion (2024, 2025), delivered a solid but uncharacteristically conservative performance at the Mediolanum Forum. Scoring 98.00 points, the American opted to forgo his historic quadruple Axel—a jump he was the first to ever land in competition—in a strategic move to conserve energy for the upcoming segments of the competition. Despite a minor deduction for an under-rotated quadruple Lutz, Malinin successfully landed a quadruple flip and a triple Axel.

The segment was won by Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who produced a near-flawless routine to earn 108.67 points. The result leaves the United States and Japan tied for first place with 59 points each heading into the final stages of the team event. Malinin also made headlines by performing a backflip on ice, a move recently legalised by the International Skating Union (ISU), much to the delight of the Italian crowd.

Career Achievements and Olympic Standing

The Road to Individual Gold

While the team event remains the immediate priority, French and international analysts view Malinin as the clear favourite for the individual men’s title later this month. His ability to execute all six types of quadruple jumps remains his primary advantage over the field. However, his performance on Saturday suggested the weight of expectation; Malinin admitted to French media (JO 2026) that he is “feeling the pressure” of his first Olympic appearance.

The American is expected to skate fourth in the final segment of the team event, where a first-place finish would likely secure the gold medal for Team USA. Fans are also waiting to see if he will reintroduce the quadruple Axel for the individual free skate, a move that would solidify his status as the most technically advanced skater in the history of the sport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Ilia Malinin called the ‘Quad God’?

Malinin earned the nickname because he is the first and only figure skater to successfully land a fully rotated quadruple Axel in international competition. He also possesses the technical ability to land all six types of quadruple jumps.

Did Malinin win his first Olympic event?

In the men’s short program of the team event held on 07 February 2026, Malinin finished second behind Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama. However, his performance helped keep Team USA in a tie for the overall lead.

Is the backflip legal in Olympic figure skating?

Yes, as of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the backflip is a legal move. Malinin performed it during his short program in Milan, making him one of the first athletes to utilise the move in Olympic competition following the recent rule changes.