Winter Olympics history was made at the Milan-Cortina Games on Saturday (February 7) as an athlete pulled out a move that had not been legally completed in 50 years.
Despite the Games technically getting underway on Wednesday (February 4), following Friday’s (February 6) opening ceremony, the event is now well and truly in full flow with host nation Italy currently joint leading the medal table alongside Japan and Norway.
As ever, the Olympics provides opportunity for little-known competitors to make a name for themselves, and it’s fair to say American figure skater Ilia Malinin certainly did that.
Twenty-one-year-old Malinin landed the first backflip at a Winter Games since 1998 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Saturday during the men’s short program team event, which earned him a score of 98.00.
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A backflip was last landed by French skater Surya Bonaly at the Nagano Games 28 years ago – although the move was classed as being illegal at the time and she was subsequently penalised.
And you’d have to go back 50 years to 1976 for the last time a legal back flip was landed at a Winter Games.
American Terry Kubicka performed the flip at the Innsbruck Games before it was banned by the International Skating Union (ISU) the following year, being deemed too dangerous.
ISU legalised the backflip in 2024.
"It was fun," Malinin said after his performance. "I mean, come on, the audience just roared, and they were just out of control. Really, that just helped me feel the gratitude of the Olympic stage."
He added: "I try to enjoy every single moment and be grateful for everything, because there are a lot of unexpected things that can happen in life. I'm taking everything to heart."
Despite impressing fans, Malinin could only finish second behind Japan's Yuma Kagiyama on Saturday.
Fans were quick to offer their thoughts on the stunning move on social media.
One said: "Ilia Malinin is doing the free skate today and I fear I won’t be able to think about anything else until then."
Another added: "He’s as cold as the ice he skates on."
A third commented: "Surya did it and landed on one foot."
As a fourth claimed: "Bloke is surely making it up as he goes along."
Topics: Olympics
Luke Davies