After Half a Century, a Classic Figure Skating Move Returns at the Olympics

The Winter Olympics crowd erupted as American skater Ilia Malinin delivered one of the most electrifying performances of the event. Known for pushing technical limits, the 21-year-old impressed judges with a high-difficulty program that reinforced his reputation as one of skating’s boldest athletes.

While backflips remain illegal in Olympic competition under ISU rules due to safety concerns, Malinin’s performance still stood out as a showcase of power, precision, and the sport’s rapidly evolving technical level — a reminder that modern figure skating continues to redefine what’s possible on the ice.