🚨 INCREDIBLE: AMERICAN PRODIGY ILIA MALININ JUST SHOCKED THE WORLD AT THE 2026 WINTER OLYMPICS… LANDING A BACKFLIP BANNED FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS IN HIS FREE SKATE! 😱⛸️🔥

The “Quad God” didn’t just skate—he defied history. In a move outlawed since 1977 for being “too dangerous,” Malinin launched into a breathtaking backflip mid-routine, sticking the landing like it was nothing… while the crowd lost their minds!

But the real jaw-dropper? What he revealed about the RIGOROUS, insane training it took to pull off this “miracle” on Olympic ice. You won’t believe the brutal secrets behind making the impossible look effortles👇

American figure skater Ilia Malinin has etched his name deeper into Olympic history by successfully landing a backflip during multiple performances at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, marking the first legal execution of the move on Olympic ice in nearly five decades.

The 21-year-old, widely known as the “Quad God” for his groundbreaking quadruple jumps including the first ratified quad axel in competition, incorporated the backflip into his routines across the team event and men’s individual short program. In the team event’s men’s short program on Feb. 7, Malinin closed his skate with the move, drawing massive crowd applause despite finishing second individually that day. He repeated it in the team free skate on Feb. 8—landing it on one skate for added flair—helping secure Team USA’s second consecutive figure skating team gold. On Feb. 10, during the men’s singles short program at the Assago Ice Skating Arena (Milano Ice Skating Arena), Malinin again delivered the backflip mid-routine, earning a score of 108.16 to take the lead heading into the free skate medal round.

The backflip, a somersault-type jump performed backward with rotation in the air before landing, carries significant historical weight in the sport. It was first landed legally at the Olympics by American Terry Kubicka during the 1976 Innsbruck Games, where he placed seventh overall. Kubicka’s execution—on two skates—sparked immediate controversy. The International Skating Union (ISU), figure skating’s governing body, banned the move the following year in 1977, citing its extreme danger and violation of the fundamental principle that jumps should land on one skate.

For decades, the ban held firm. Skaters occasionally defied it in non-sanctioned settings or exhibitions. Most notably, French skater Surya Bonaly performed a one-footed backflip at the 1998 Nagano Olympics during her free skate, landing cleanly despite injury and knowing it would incur a deduction. Bonaly’s move, now sometimes called a “Bonaly,” was penalized, contributing to her lower placement, but it became iconic as a bold statement in a sport often criticized for its conservatism and lack of diversity.

The ISU maintained the prohibition through rule changes and technical codes until late 2024. At its congress, the organization removed somersault-type jumps, including backflips, from the list of restricted or illegal elements for the 2024-2025 season onward. Officials cited a desire to modernize the sport, increase excitement for younger audiences, and recognize that such elements could serve as choreographic highlights rather than scoring jumps. Under current rules, the backflip earns no technical points but can enhance program components scores for interpretation, performance, and crowd engagement—and incurs no deduction if executed safely.

Malinin, who has a background in gymnastics from his early training years, first incorporated the backflip into competitive programs after the ban lift in 2024. He has described it as a personal favorite, noting it adds suspense, fits certain music themes, and generates audience energy despite its lack of scoring value. “It gets that audience applause, feels really suspenseful, and I really just like doing it,” Malinin said in prior interviews.

Training for the element involved consistent practice sessions at the rink, where videos captured him refining the takeoff, rotation, and landing—often on one foot for stylistic impact. His gymnastics foundation provided a base for the aerial awareness and body control required, though he emphasized the need for precision on ice to avoid injury or falls. Malinin has performed the move cleanly in competition multiple times since 2024, building confidence ahead of the Olympics.

At Milano Cortina, the backflip’s inclusion drew widespread attention. In the team free skate, his one-footed landing elicited one of the loudest crowd reactions of the Games. Commentators and fans highlighted the contrast with past penalties, with some pointing to Bonaly’s pioneering role and questioning whether the timing of the rule change reflects evolving standards or lingering biases in the sport. Bonaly, reached for comment by outlets like the AP, expressed approval: “It’s great to see someone do the backflip on Olympic ice… Skating needs to be taken to an upper level.” She added that she felt “born too early” but proud of paving the way.

Malinin’s performances have positioned him as a frontrunner for individual gold in men’s singles. His short program featured clean quads (flip and Lutz-triple toe combination) alongside the backflip, set to music from The Lost Crown. Experts note the move’s high-risk nature—potential for severe injury if mistimed—but praise Malinin’s execution as flawless and crowd-pleasing.

The revival of the backflip underscores broader shifts in figure skating. The ISU’s rule update aims to inject spectacle into a discipline sometimes seen as rigid. Other once-controversial elements, like handstands or cartwheels, are now permitted as choreographic tools. Malinin’s success with the backflip, combined with his quad dominance, reinforces his status as one of the sport’s most innovative athletes.

As the men’s free skate approaches (Feb. 13), all eyes remain on Malinin. Whether he repeats the backflip or opts for additional technical risks, his Olympic debut has already delivered historic moments. For a sport striving to balance tradition, safety, and entertainment, the once-banned flip’s return signals a new era—one where daring moves like Malinin’s can shine without penalty.

Fans and analysts continue to debate the implications: Does legalizing high-spectacle elements dilute technical purity, or does it make figure skating more accessible and thrilling? For now, Malinin’s landings speak louder than words, thrilling crowds and reminding the world why he’s called the Quad God—and perhaps soon, something more.