MONTREAL — As the next Winter Olympics draw nearer, the U.S. figure skating team, spearheaded by the 19-year-old prodigy Ilia Malinin, has showcased its most remarkable performance at the world championships in nearly two decades. This achievement could either be a fleeting moment or a significant precursor to the 2026 Milan Games.
Ilia Malinin, a young athlete often referred to as the “Quad God” and born to Olympian parents, electrified the 2024 world championships with an unparalleled display of athleticism. On a memorable Saturday night, he executed six flawless quadruple jumps, earning the highest score ever recorded for a long program and clinching his first world title with ease.
“I’m still in shock. I can hardly believe what I’ve accomplished,” he expressed, reflecting on his performance. “As I prepared to start, I realized this could either be the pinnacle of my career or a complete disaster. My strategy was to stay composed and tackle each element with confidence.”
One quadruple jump led to another in a breathtaking sequence. Malinin, with his youthful energy and flowing hair, seemed to mature with each leap. “Feeling the crowd’s escalating cheers was exhilarating,” he shared.
The audience was captivated, rising to their feet as Malinin soared through his routine. “The roar of the crowd after completing my jumps was unbelievable. It was an incredible moment,” he recounted.
When the music ceased and he struck his final pose, Malinin was overwhelmed by emotion, collapsing onto the ice. “I was so moved, I couldn’t even stand. It was a profoundly emotional experience for me.”
In a remarkable turn of events, Malinin wasn’t the only American to secure a gold medal that day. Ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates also triumphed, earning their second consecutive world title. This victory is especially sweet as they anticipate receiving the 2022 Olympic gold medal, following the controversy surrounding the Kamila Valieva doping scandal.
This marked the first time since 1996 that the United States clinched two gold medals at a world championship, echoing the achievements of Michelle Kwan and Todd Eldredge.
Moreover, 17-year-old Isabeau Levito, a rising star in the figure skating world, overcame a season of doubt to win a surprising silver medal in the women’s event. This brought the U.S. medal tally to three across the four disciplines at the world championships, a feat not achieved in a non-Olympic year since 2005.
Despite the absence of the formidable Russian competitors, due to the ongoing ban amidst their country’s conflict in Ukraine, Levito’s accomplishment is a testament to her resilience and potential.
Levito, who is as articulate as she is talented, shared her mental strategy during her short program. “I kept battling doubts, telling myself to focus on the present and not on what could go wrong,” she explained. This mental fortitude paid off, laying the groundwork for her future aspirations.
The anticipation for the Olympics is palpable, especially for Malinin, whose family legacy is deeply intertwined with Olympic figure skating. His parents, former competitors for Uzbekistan, have nurtured his talent from a young age, setting the stage for his historic performance.
In a narrative that seems almost too perfect, the son of these accomplished athletes has not only continued their legacy but has also carved out his own place in figure skating history.