Context:

Ilia Malinin, known as the 'Quad God', made history at the Winter Olympics by executing the first legal backflip in Olympic figure skating since the move was unbanned, captivating audiences at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. Despite finishing second in the men's short program with a score of 98.00, behind Japan's Yuma Kagiyama who scored 108.67, Malinin's performance helped the U.S. maintain a lead in the team competition. This marked a significant moment in Olympic history, as the backflip was previously banned due to safety concerns and had not been attempted in the Olympics for over two decades. Looking ahead, Malinin's groundbreaking achievement sets the stage for his anticipated participation in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Dive Deeper:

• Ilia Malinin performed a backflip during the team event on February 7, making him the first athlete since 1998 to do so at the Winter Olympics.

• Malinin's execution of the backflip was part of a monumental return for the move after it was banned by the International Skating Union in 1977 due to safety concerns.

• Despite his impressive performance, Malinin finished second in the men's short program, contributing nine points to the United States' overall team score of 34 points.

• Japan's Yuma Kagiyama outperformed Malinin, clinching first place with a score of 108.67, while Italy followed with 28 points, placing them third in the team standings.

• The backflip was originally executed in the Winter Olympics by Terry Kubicka in 1976 but was later deemed illegal; Surya Bonaly's attempt in 1998 also resulted in a deduction.

• The ISU's decision to legalize the backflip in 2024 allowed Malinin to incorporate it into his Olympic routine, marking a significant shift in competitive figure skating.

• Malinin's historic performance has generated excitement for his future at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, where he is expected to compete.