Meet Ilia Malinin, the highest-paid 2026 Olympic figure skater nicknamed the 'Quad God' for his gravity-defying routines

• Ilia Malinin is one of Team USA's breakout figure skating stars of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
• Malinin, the only skater to ever land a quadruple axel in competition, is known as the "Quad God."
• He is coached by his parents, who were Olympic figure skaters, as well.

You may recognize US figure skater Ilia Malinin from his gravity-defying backflips and quadruple jumps.

Or perhaps you know him simply as the "Quad God."

Malinin, 21, is a two-time world champion and one of Team USA's breakout figure skating stars of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Here's what to know about Malinin's background and Olympic career.

Who are Ilia Malinin's parents?

Malinin's parents, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, were born in Russia and represented Uzbekistan at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano and the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Now, they serve as his coaches.

Where was Ilia Malinin born?

Malinin was born in Fairfax, Virginia, and began figure skating at 7 years old.

Malinin's younger sister, Ellie "Liza" Beatrice Malinina, is also a competitive figure skater.

He trains in Reston, Virginia. When he's not figure skating, he's a student at the nearby George Mason University majoring in exploratory studies.

Why is Ilia Malinin nicknamed the "Quad God"?

Malinin is the first and only skater to ever land a quadruple axel in competition, and began using the nickname "Quad God" when he was 13 years old.

Malinin helped Team USA secure the gold medal in the team figure skating competition on Sunday. He landed five quadruple jumps in his free skate, but has yet to attempt a quadruple axel at the 2026 Olympics. While he had planned to execute a quadruple axel during the Team Event, he substituted a triple axel instead.

Are Ilia Malinin's backflips allowed?

Malinin has also included backflips in his Olympic routines — a feat with a complicated history.

During the 1976 Olympics, American figure skater Terry Kubicka performed the first-ever backflip, but the International Skating Union banned the move shortly thereafter in 1977, saying it was too dangerous.

In 1998, French figure skater Surya Bonaly became the first Olympic figure skater to land a backflip on one blade during her free skate, but was penalized by the judges since the move was still illegal in competition.

The International Skating Union lifted the ban on backflips in 2024. During the Team Event this year, Malinin landed a backflip on one skate just as Bonaly had, but this time, it was permitted.

How much does Ilia Malinin make?

Malinin is believed to be the highest-paid figure skater at the 2026 Olympics with an estimated income of $700,000 from sponsorships over the last year, Forbes reported.

According to Malinin's website, his corporate partners include Coca-Cola, Samsung, Google, Xfinity, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Honda.

When is Ilia Malinin competing?

Having already won gold in the team competition, Malinin will skate in the individual Men's Short Program on February 10 and the individual Men's Free Skate on February 13.

See Business Insider's full guide to watching Olympic figure skating for more information about how to catch Malinin on the ice.