What historic move did Ilia Malinin land at the Olympics?

Ilia Malinin landed a historic backflip, a move previously banned since 1976.

When was the backflip banned and unbanned in figure skating?

The backflip was banned in figure skating competitions since 1976 and the ban was lifted by the ISU in June 2024.

What is Ilia Malinin aiming for in the men's free skate?

Ilia Malinin is aiming to potentially land the first quadruple axel ever performed at the Olympic Games.

Home / Sports / Malinin's Historic Backflip Secures USA Gold

Malinin's Historic Backflip Secures USA Gold

13 Feb

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Summary

Ilia Malinin landed a banned backflip, securing gold for Team USA.
The backflip, banned since 1976, was recently made legal by ISU.
Malinin aims for a quadruple axel in the upcoming men's free skate.

Malinin's Historic Backflip Secures USA Gold

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Ilia Malinin has once again captured the spotlight. Known for his incredible skills, Malinin helped Team USA secure a gold medal in the team event.

His performance included a historic backflip, a maneuver that had been prohibited in competition since 1976. The International Skating Union (ISU) officially lifted the ban on such "somersault type jumps" in June 2024, deeming them spectacular and no longer needing to be illegal.

Malinin, who also hopes to be the first to land a quadruple axel at the Games, now looks forward to the men's free skate on Friday. He is the current favorite for that event, emphasizing his focus on health and confidence for any record-breaking attempts.

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