Ilia Malinin, widely regarded as one of the most exceptional figure skaters of his time, combines unprecedented technical ability with remarkable creativity and artistic expression. At only 20 years old, this American athlete has achieved what many consider not only the pinnacle of his generation but potentially one of the highest achievements in the history of the sport.
Despite waiting four years for the opportunity to participate in the Winter Olympics, Malinin’s previous exclusion from the Beijing Games was primarily attributed to concerns related to his age and limited experience rather than skill. This exclusion served as motivation, fueling his progression to becoming a two-time world champion, including a recent straightforward victory at the World Championships held in Boston. Over the last two years, Malinin has maintained an unbeaten record across various competitive levels, from preliminary contests to the intense Grand Prix series and national championships, the latter of which he won for a fourth consecutive year in St. Louis.
The scores Malinin has earned throughout his career challenge the historical benchmarks set by top-tier skaters, notably rivaling those achieved by Nathan Chen, a compatriot and Olympic gold medalist. Amber Glenn, a current U.S. teammate, describes Malinin as possessing an extraordinary talent and unparalleled dedication, traits partly influenced by his lineage as the son of former elite skaters but also due to his physical attributes and relentless work ethic.
A heritage steeped in figure skating excellence
Malinin's skating roots trace back through his family lineage. His mother, Tatiana Malinina, represented Uzbekistan during the 1998 Olympics and secured victory at the Grand Prix Final the subsequent year. His father, Roman Skorniakov, also competed for Uzbekistan in the Winter Games of 1998 and 2002. This athletic pedigree extends to his grandfather, Valery Malinin, a former Soviet Union competitor who now coaches in Russia.
The influence of this familial tradition has been foundational; Malinin’s early years involved accompanying his parents to ice rinks, initially favoring soccer before dedicating himself entirely to skating. Under his parents’ guidance, he captured the junior world title in 2022 following his Olympic absence. The addition of Hall of Fame coach Rafael Arutyunyan to his team propelled Malinin’s advancement, leading to his first senior national championship and subsequent successes on the Grand Prix circuit. Malinin’s commitment to stretching his limits is a cornerstone of his progression, as highlighted by Arutyunyan, who emphasizes the importance of a coordinated support team backing the athlete’s ambitions.
Preparing for Olympic performance amid mounting expectations
As the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics approach, the pressures surrounding Malinin increase both in competitive arenas and in broader public and commercial contexts. Affiliated with multiple corporate sponsors, Malinin’s prominence has grown, resulting in widespread media exposure and frequent interactions with fans demanding autographs and photographs.
In a detailed interview, Malinin discussed the strategic planning employed by his team aimed at maximizing both his physical and mental condition to peak precisely during the Olympic Games. This preparation includes careful regulation of training intensity and competition participation leading up to the event to ensure optimal performance readiness.
Dominating the current season and pushing technical boundaries
Starting his season with a victory at the Lombardia Trophy, Malinin continued to assert his dominance by winning the Grand Prix de France followed by Skate Canada, achieving a personal best score of 333.81 points. This score came close to surpassing the world record of 335.30 points established by Nathan Chen in 2019.
Malinin secured another Grand Prix Final title in December and a national championship in January. Notably, his most recent national championship was attained despite moderating his free skate to accommodate adjustments to new skates.
His choreographer, Shae-Lynn Bourne, remarks on Malinin’s intense passion and dedication, underscoring his commitment to rigorous practice well beyond scheduled sessions. Malinin’s continuous pursuit of challenges rather than settling for known capabilities is a defining characteristic. This drive led him to successfully land the elusive quad axel jump, involving four-and-a-half rotations — a feat unmatched by his peers in competition. Additionally, he integrates innovative elements such as the "raspberry twist" alongside other gravity-defying maneuvers.
Observers like two-time Olympian Jason Brown note Malinin’s remarkable maturity under pressure and emphasize the strong support system rallying behind him as he prepares for the Olympic stage.