Team USA is golden once again — and this time, the moment belonged unmistakably to Ilia “Quad God” Malinin.
At the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the United States successfully defended its Olympic figure skating team event gold medal, edging out Japan in a dramatic finale that came down to the men’s free skate. With the pressure at its peak and the score tied at 59 points, Malinin delivered a performance that will be remembered as one of the defining moments of these Games.
The 21-year-old two-time world champion attempted five quad jumps — an unprecedented technical assault — and posted a massive 200.03 score, sealing gold for Team USA and cementing his status as the most technically advanced skater in the world.
Japan’s Shun Sato, stepping in for Yuma Kagiyama, answered with the skate of his life (194.86), sending a wave of suspense through the arena. For several agonizing minutes, fans wondered if Malinin’s lead would hold.
It did — and the United States stood atop the podium once again.
Japan claimed silver, while host nation Italy earned bronze.
A Gold Medal Decided by Nerves, Precision, and History
Sunday’s Olympic figure skating team event featured four disciplines:
- Free ice dance
- Free pair skating
- Women’s singles free skate
- Men’s singles free skate
With the U.S. and Japan deadlocked heading into the final event, the championship hinged on Malinin alone — and he answered with unmatched composure and technical dominance.
Known worldwide as the “Quad God,” Malinin didn’t just skate to win. He skated to define the modern limits of men’s figure skating.
Amber Glenn Makes Olympic History on the Ice
Before Malinin’s heroics, Amber Glenn delivered one of the most meaningful performances of the day for Team USA.
The 26-year-old North Texas native finished third in the women’s free skate, earning eight crucial points. In doing so, Glenn made history as:
- The oldest U.S. women’s singles skater to compete at the Olympics in 98 years
- The first openly LGBTQ woman to skate at an Olympic Games
Though she shakily landed her signature triple axel — the only woman to attempt it in the free skate — Glenn was candid afterward.
“I’m disappointed, but very proud of the fight,”
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, competing in her final Olympic season, was flawless and instrumental in keeping Japan tied entering the men’s event. Sakamoto, Glenn, and Alysa Liu will all compete for individual Olympic glory later this month.
Pair Skating: Kam and O’Shea Add Valuable Points
In pair skating, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea finished fourth, earning seven points for Team USA.
Skating to a dramatic medley including Sweet Dreams, Eleanor Rigby, and Everybody Wants to Rule the World, the Colorado Springs–based duo showed poise in just their second Olympic season together. Their journey — from separate partnerships to Olympic contributors — underscores the depth and resilience of the U.S. program.
Chock and Bates Reaffirm Ice Dance Dominance
If consistency wins championships, Madison Chock and Evan Bates are the gold standard.
The three-time world champions followed their rhythm dance win with a commanding free dance victory, marking their fourth consecutive Winter Olympics together. Their chemistry, precision, and experience once again set them apart.
“We felt the excitement of getting these Olympics underway,” Bates said afterward.
Chock and Bates are now heavy favorites to claim individual Olympic gold, and they remain the only skaters on Team USA carried over from the controversial 2022 Beijing team event.
That gold, originally awarded to Russia, was officially reassigned to the U.S. two years later after Kamila Valieva’s disqualification for a banned substance.
A Statement Win for Team USA
This victory wasn’t just about medals — it was about legacy.
From Malinin redefining what’s possible on the ice, to Glenn breaking barriers, to veterans like Chock and Bates anchoring the team, Team USA’s back-to-back Olympic gold sends a clear message:
American figure skating isn’t just back — it’s evolving, fearless, and built to last.
And with individual events still ahead, this golden run may only be the beginning. ❄️🥇🇺🇸
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