Ilia Malinin, who previously drew international attention for attempting a backflip at the Olympics for the first time in 50 years, has captivated audiences once more. On the opening day of the 2026 Winter Olympics team event, he attempted this high-risk maneuver that had been prohibited until its recent reclassification in 2024. While no additional points are awarded for the backflip, Malinin's performance also stood out for his execution of five quadruple jumps, showcasing his elite skills and earning loud applause from the audience.

As a result of Malinin's breathtaking performances, the American team took home the gold medal in the team event, achieving a back-to-back Olympic victory after the 2022 Beijing Games. Competing in Milan, the U.S. scored 69 points, narrowly defeating Japan, who finished with 68 points, while Italy secured third place with 60 points. The team event, which first emerged at the Sochi 2014 Olympics, includes various categories such as men’s and women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance, with total points determining the medal standings.

Despite the excitement surrounding the American performances, the South Korean team was unable to advance to the finals, ending their journey with a total score of 14 points in the preliminaries, placing them seventh. This marks a significant achievement for the U.S. figure skating team, demonstrating their strength and consistency in a high-stakes environment, while highlighting the evolving nature of figure skating techniques with the inclusion of challenging elements like the backflip.