Sometimes in figure skating there are moments that become a “turning point” not only in the program, but in the history of the entire sport. At the 2026 Olympics, such a scene was seen: Ilya Malinin performed a somersault on the ice, an acrobatic element that had been considered “extremely dangerous” for almost 50 years, and made this movement the highest point, the culmination of his performance.
The thing is that this jump was banned after the 1976 Games due to safety concerns, since even a single incorrect landing on the ice could have serious consequences. However, in 2024, the International Skating Union (ISU) revised the rules and allowed some elements of acrobatics on ice again. Malinin used this newfound “freedom” not as a mere detail, but as the key to a great victory.
Ilya’s performance seemed impressive to many “both logically and emotionally”: technically, he raised the bar of difficulty, and artistically, he firmly tied the audience to him. Most importantly, he was able to combine this risk with control, his confidence and preparation. And the result was solid: Olympic gold.
At the age of 21, Malinin was already recognized as a two-time world champion and world record holder. Now, the Olympic championship has been added to this list. This is not only a medal, but also a new standard and new claim in sports.
Uzbekistan also has reason to be quietly proud of this event. Because Malinin's parents - Tatyana Malinina and Roman Skornyakov - defended the honor of Uzbekistan on international stages in the 1990s. Later, the family moved to the United States, where Ilya was born and raised, but one thing is for sure: that school also has a role in his veins, work culture and sports character.
Now the most interesting question is what happens next? Olympic gold sometimes "stops" an athlete, and sometimes it opens him up even more. Figure skaters like Malinin, who can combine risk with intelligence, usually choose the second path: towards more perfect, greater goals. So, this story is not over yet - it is just beginning.
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