Figure skating at Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Sports: Why is Ilia Malinin called 'Quad God'? What records can he break? What is a quad axel?
By Ben Southby
Published 13/02/2026 at 16:21 GMT
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It has been a historic Olympic Winter Games for Ilia Malinin, on his debut. The world champion is going for his second gold medal on Friday, with more history potentially on the line. We explore the quad axel, who the ‘Quad God’ Malinin is, and the records he could shatter in his push for Olympic glory. Live coverage of the Milano Cortina Olympics is on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Malinin 'doesn't disappoint' as he delivers another epic routine
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ilia Malinin has been one of the standout stars of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
The 21-year-old American has won over viewers from around the world with his trademark backflips and riveting routines, while TNT Sports commentator Mark Hanretty claimed he has "revolutionised" the sport at this Winter Games.
On Friday, Malinin will take to the ice once more in Milan - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - as he looks to claim a second medal when he takes part in the free skate, having already claimed glory at his debut Games in the team event.
Who is Ilia Malinin?
Known in the figure skating world as the "Quad God", because of his ability to land quadruple jumps, Malinin has been a breakout star at the Winter Games to many, but for more regular viewers of the sport, his success has come as no surprise.
The 21-year-old arrived at the Games as a two-time men’s singles world champion, having successfully defended his title at his home championships in Boston last year after first claiming the crown in Montreal in 2024.
In what has already been a glittering career, Malinin has won the Grand Prix final in each of the last three seasons - winning the first at the age of 19 in December 2023 - while he has been the US champion for the last four years, sparking his dominance as a fresh-faced 18-year-old.
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'Very special' Malinin is almost 'blasé' as he exudes 'such confidence' - Hanretty
Video credit: TNT Sports
So, it is fair to say he has been building momentum nicely toward his first Olympics, and TNT Sports’ Hanretty added that he expects the figure skating world to really feel his impact by the time of the 2030 Games in the French Alps.
"He's somewhat of a pioneer," Hanretty said.
"I suppose you see this in all sports, whereby somebody steps outside the parapet, somebody changes the benchmark and the parameters for expectation.
"I suspect that in this next Olympic cycle, everybody is going to jump up to follow, but in the last Olympics in 2022, he didn't compete.
"He has revolutionised in this cycle; his impact, I think, we will see heading towards 2030."
It's so far, so good for Malinin in Italy, who has naturally taken to the big stage and played his part in winning the gold medal in the team event ahead of his singles bid.
What records can Malinin break?
As Malinin chases gold in the men's singles, he may well become the first person to ever land a quadruple axel in Olympic competition.
He already became the first skater of the 21st century to land a backflip at the Winter Olympics, and the first overall since France’s Surya Bonaly did so at the 1998 Nagano Games, when the move was still banned.
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Malinin makes history with sensational backflip
Video credit: TNT Sports
The backflip was made illegal in 1977, shortly after it was debuted by American skater Terry Kubicka at the Innsbruck Olympics a year earlier, and it was quickly ruled too dangerous and remained forbidden until 2024.
Malinin wasted little time reintroducing the element, successfully landing the crowd-pleasing backflip during the men’s short program team event, as he scored 98.00 and helped the United States claim gold. Now, he could make more history.
The quad axel has not been done in Olympic competition, but Malinin is no stranger to executing the move when the stakes are high.
- Malinin a 'pioneer' for figure skating - Hanretty
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Malinin successfully attempted the quad axel and its four-and-a-half rotations on the way to both of his world titles in both 2024 and 2025.
But what is a quad axel exactly, we hear you ask? Well, here you go...
What is a quadruple axel?
The quad axel, a move which gave Milanin his 'Quad God' nickname, is a tough and daring move for any figure skater.
It is the only jump where skaters take off facing forward, which actually makes it a quad and a half, with four-and-a-half rotations.
Skaters need exceptional height and rapid rotation to land the move safely and with control, while the forward-facing take-off presents a significant psychological challenge.
With Malinin's ability to gain incredible height, he is able to complete the half spin at the end of the move, following the four rotations.
Will he go for it in Milan? We will find out on Friday night in another Olympic event not to be missed.
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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