Skater's Backflip: A Tale of Two Eras

Ilia Malinin, an American figure skater, recently achieved a historic first by legally landing a backflip on a single skate during the Olympics. This athletic achievement, part of his gold medal-winning free skate performance for the U.S. team, also featured his signature quadruple jumps.

The move is now known as "the Bonaly flip," named after France's Surya Bonaly, who controversially executed it during the 1998 Nagano Games when the backflip was still forbidden by the International Skating Union (ISU).

Bonaly's decision to perform the banned move, despite knowing it would result in point deductions, was an exclamation point to her professional career and a significant moment for Black athletes in a sport with limited diversity. In contrast, Malinin is receiving widespread acclaim for the same maneuver.

This contrast has sparked conversations, with some, like Ari Lu, arguing on social media that figure skating owes Bonaly an apology. They suggest that Bonaly was judged harshly for her appearance and athleticism, while Malinin is celebrated.

The ISU had banned backflips in figure skating, deeming them too dangerous, though Terry Kubicka had previously performed one on two skates at the Olympics in 1976. The ban was lifted approximately two years prior to Malinin's achievement, as the ISU aimed to increase the sport's excitement and appeal to younger audiences.

Bonaly herself commented that she was "born too early," suggesting that her innovative move was ahead of its time. She expressed that her actions paved the way for greater acceptance and diversity in the sport, stating, "People welcome anyone as long as they are good."

Historically, Black athletes like Mabel Fairbanks and Debi Thomas have faced exclusion and broken barriers in figure skating. Despite progress, the sport still faces challenges with representation, with few professional Black figure skaters currently competing.

Recent social media posts from the ISU and the International Olympic Committee have acknowledged Bonaly's iconic backflip, celebrating its lasting impact and inspirational quality for young skaters.