Workforce USA determine skater Ilia Malinin is among the largest names on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina — however he’s got down to show that, regardless of his unimaginable expertise on the ice, he’s not so completely different from the followers watching at residence.
“Everybody sees me at competitions and I’m simply so targeted, I’m actually in a special mindset the place I’m just about as excellent as I could be,” Malinin, 21, completely instructed Us Weekly earlier than the beginning of the Video games. “However in actuality, I’m not excellent. I’ll have dangerous days, I’ll have good days. It’s actually the factor that tells individuals, ‘Oh, he’s actually human like the remainder of us.’”
In a stunning flip of occasions, Malinin did not medal within the males’s free skate on Friday, February 13, after falling twice in competitors.
“I used to be not anticipating that,” Malinin instructed NBC after his efficiency. “I felt so prepared getting on that ice. Possibly I used to be too assured it was going to go properly.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics are formally right here — and Workforce USA is arriving in Italy with star energy, storylines and sky-high expectations. Because the world’s greatest athletes descend on Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, all eyes are on the People: from Ilia Malinin’s can’t-miss second in males’s determine skating to Mikaela Shiffrin’s long-awaited redemption tour on (…)
Maintain studying to be taught extra about what makes Malinin tick, each on and off the ice.
Ilia Malinin Is From a Household of Determine Skaters
Ilia Malinin’s Russian-born dad and mom, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakovrepresented Uzbekistan on the Winter Olympics twice: Nagano in 1998 and Salt Lake Metropolis in 2002.
Born in Virginia, Malinin began being skilled by his dad and mom when he was 6 years outdated.
Ilia’s grandfather Valery Malinin can be a determine skating coach and previously competed for the Soviet Union.
Ilia Malinin Desires to Make Determine Skating Cool Once more
Success for Ilia on the 2026 Winter Olympics is about way over standing on high of the rostrum.
“My excellent concept for achievement for the Olympics is to actually carry again an enormous majority of recognition in skating,” Ilia defined. “Simply carry it again to its prime days the place, many years in the past, all arenas have been bought out for something associated to skating. It was extraordinarily common. It was televised on each single channel. That’s one thing I actually need to carry again.”
He added, “Lots of people shall be watching the Olympics, so I feel that’s the place I can inform them about this concept.”
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 03: Ilia Malinin of Workforce United States takes half in a coaching session on day minus three of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic video games at Milano Ice Skating Area on February 03, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Matthew Stockman/Getty PhotographsIlia Malinin Loves His ‘Quad God’ Nickname
Ilia has been nicknamed the “Quad God,” a reference to him being the primary skater to land a quadruple axel in competitors — and the benefit he routinely performs them with.
“I positively embrace the nickname,” Ilia stated. “I feel it offers me my motivation and my causes for why I carry out so properly.”
Ilia turned the primary skater to land the quad in competitors on the 2022 CS U.S. Worldwide Basic.
On the 2025 Grand Prix Ultimate in December, Ilia landed seven quads in a single program on his method to his third consecutive Grand Prix title.
“Listening to the title Quad God, you simply should be prepared,” Ilia added. “For me particularly, I wish to set requirements. I at all times wish to push myself to the restrict, or push myself to my very own limits and actually simply attempt to see that progress.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Ilia Malinin attends the Workforce USA Welcome Expertise on the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics on February 01, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Joe Scarnici/Getty Photographs for USOPCIlia Malinin Is a Proud Cat Dad
When Ilia wants a break from the stress of being the perfect determine skater on the earth, he has a simple method to alleviate the stress: spending time along with his two ragdoll cats, Mysti and Miu Miu.
“They have been a present for me for successful my second World Championships,” Ilia stated. “I’m fairly completely happy to have them. They’ve actually made my life so a lot better. It actually helps my temper. Possibly I’ll have a foul day and coming residence and seeing the cats offers you one thing to speak your thoughts off (skating).”
He added, “They actually consolation me, as properly. I’m fortunate to have that.”
Away From the Rink, Ilia Malinin Loves EDM and Video Video games
Whereas determine skating takes up most of Ilia’s life, he nonetheless finds time for his favourite hobbies.
“I’ll spend my time watching movies or motion pictures or taking part in video video games,” Ilia stated. “That’s my greater ardour I love to do after I’m like, ‘OK, I want a while away from occupied with determine skating. Let me hop on my gaming pc actual fast and play a couple of hours.’ That’s one thing that helps me.”
Ilia additionally enjoys “portray, drawing, studying books and making music.” When requested what style of music he enjoys making most, he stated, “in all probability digital music.”