Ilia Malinin isn’t just the future of Winter Olympic figure skating he might be its time traveler. With a repertoire that includes the first-ever successfully landed quadruple Axel in competition, the 20-year-old phenom is skating far ahead of his time. As the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 inch closer, all eyes are on the athlete known affectionately as The Quad God.
Secure your Olympic Figure Skating Tickets now at eticketing.co! Visit our website to grab your tickets at discounted rates and be part of the thrilling action in Milano Cortina 2026. Don’t miss the chance to cheer on your favorite athletes as they go for gold!
But beyond the dazzling jumps and viral routines, there’s another side to Malinin—curious, creative, and quietly reflective. In a candid interview, the World Champion opened up about his thoughts on time travel, his evolving sense of style, life as a big brother, and his steadily intensifying Olympic ambitions.
Winter Olympic 2026: A Skater Who Dreams in Fast Forward
If you ask Ilia Malinin where he’d go if he could step outside of time, his answer is both expected and intriguing. Definitely the future, he says without pause. I’d want to see what skating looks like in 50 years—what kind of jumps people are doing, if there’s technology involved, or how it’s changed artistically.
It’s not just a hypothetical for him. Malinin’s fascination with the future fuels his present. Whether he’s pioneering ultra-difficult jump combos or pushing the boundaries of performance design, he’s constantly imagining what’s next.
I think a lot about how to evolve—not just in technique, but in how people feel when they watch skating, he says. I want to create programs that stick with people, that feel like a moment, not just a routine. That forward-thinking approach is part of what’s made him a standout since his breakout on the international scene—and why he’s considered a serious gold-medal contender for Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Alysa Liu Ends U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Title Drought with Historic Win
Skating in Style—And Living It
When it comes to fashion, Ilia’s aesthetic is best described as relaxed with an edge. He doesn’t dress to impress but make no mistake, he still makes an impression. Off the ice, I like comfort, he says. Sneakers, joggers, oversized hoodies—but I like mixing in something that makes it personal. Maybe a jacket, some colors, or cool graphics.
That casual flair has started to bleed into his performance costumes, too. Malinin has recently worked with designers to make his competition looks not only functional but reflective of his personality and musical choices. I’ve started thinking more intentionally about my style on the ice, he says. What I wear affects how I skate, how I move, and how the story comes across.
Brother, Skater, Mentor: Ilia Malinin on Guiding the Next Generation
Away from the spotlight, Malinin plays another important role—one that keeps him grounded. He’s a big brother to his younger sister, who has recently taken an interest in skating herself. She just starting to skate for fun, he says with a soft smile. It’s kind of surreal seeing her out there. She looks up to me, but I tell her, ‘Do it because you enjoy it.’ That’s what matters most.
The responsibility of being a role model to her weighs on him—but in a good way. I try to show her the real process. She sees the medals, the cool stuff, but I want her to understand the work behind it. That the early mornings, the setbacks—they’re part of it.
Growing up with two former Olympic-level skaters as parents—Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov—Ilia knows firsthand the highs and lows of the sport. But despite the family legacy, his path has always been uniquely his own. My parents were always supportive, but never forceful, he says. They let me find my way into skating. Now I’m trying to pass that same balance on to my sister.
Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026: The Countdown Begins
With just under a year and a half until the Winter Olympic 2026, Malinin is entering a critical phase of his career. After placing fourth in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games as a wide-eyed teen, he’s now a more seasoned, strategic, and emotionally mature athlete. I learned so much in Beijing, he recalls. That experience helped me understand what the Olympic pressure really feels like. It was intense, but it motivated me like nothing else.
Since then, he’s claimed multiple international titles, including the 2024 World Championship, and has fine-tuned his artistry and stamina. These days, his programs are as moving as they are technically impressive.
Olympic 2026 fans worldwide can book Winter Olympic Tickets from our online platforms eticketing.co Fans can book Olympic Tickets on our website at discounted prices. Experience the thrill of the Games in Milano Cortina and support your favorite athletes as they compete for glory.
My team and I have been focusing on musicality, pacing, breathing—things that help connect the jumps to the emotion, he explains. Because that’s what the judges—and the audience—remember. Though he’s widely expected to be on the Olympic podium in Milan, Malinin keeps his expectations internal. I don’t want to skate for gold only, he says. I want to skate in a way that makes people feel something. That’s when it means the most.
A Community of Champions
Despite being a standout talent, Malinin is quick to credit his fellow skaters for pushing the sport forward. He mentions Yuma Kagiyama, Shoma Uno, and Adam Siao Him Fa as peers who inspire him. Everyone’s bringing something different, he says. Yuma has that elegance, Adam is explosive, Shoma is so fluid. I love that we all push each other without it feeling toxic. It’s a community.
He also gives credit to his choreographers, coaches, and support staff for helping him navigate the pressure and stay grounded. There’s no such thing as a solo performance, he says. Even when you’re alone on the ice, you’re standing on the support of a whole team.
Winter Olympic 2026: What Comes After the Axels?
Though he’s fully immersed in his current Winter Olympic journey, Malinin admits he’s already imagining what life might look like after competition. I’m interested in coaching, maybe even choreography, he says. Or maybe studying sports science or biomechanics. I love understanding how things work, especially when it comes to movement and efficiency.
But for now, it’s all about the next jump, the next program, the next Olympic chapter. I still have so much I want to explore on the ice, he says. Different music, different moods. I want to take risks—not just technically, but creatively.
Legacy in Motion: How Ilia Malinin Is Shaping the Future of Winter Olympic Figure Skating
In a sport where performances are measured in minutes and medals, Ilia Malinin is thinking bigger—about legacy, emotion, and the stories that last long after the final spin. Whether he’s imagining future tech on the ice, encouraging his little sister at the rink, or designing a costume that feels like him, Malinin is skating not just for gold, but for meaning. As the world watches his journey to Winter Olympic Milan-Cortina 2026, one thing is clear: Ilia Malinin isn’t just part of Winter Olympic figure skating’s future.
The magic and excitement as fans from around the world gather to celebrate the spirit of the Games. Secure your Olympic Opening Ceremony Tickets now and create memories that will last a lifetime at the unforgettable Winter Olympic 2026.
