Gasps and disbelief in US as 'Quad God's' Olympic dream crumbles

Ilia Malinin, the American figure skater known as "Quad God," unexpectedly finished eighth at the Winter Olympics. The highly anticipated performance was viewed by supporters at SkateQuest, his training rink in Virginia. Malinin, the first and only skater to land a quadruple axel in international competition, failed to execute the jump during his routine. His score of 156.33 was significantly lower than his world record of 238.24, which he achieved in December of the previous year. The result was met with shock and disappointment by those watching.

Ilia Malinin, a 21-year-old figure skater, is competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where he already helped the United States win a team gold medal. Malinin, known as the "Quad God," is pushing the boundaries of the sport with innovative and difficult jumps, including the quadruple axel. He is the son of two Russian-born Olympic figure skaters, and is now showcasing his talent on the world's biggest stage. Malinin hopes to capture an individual medal and bring renewed attention to figure skating in America. His unique style and athleticism are drawing comparisons to a skater from the future, potentially revolutionizing the sport.