The Evolution of Figure Skating: From Yuzuru Hanyu to Ilia Malinin
The world of figure skating is constantly evolving, with new stars emerging and established champions charting new paths. While the name Yuzuru Hanyu resonates deeply with fans worldwide, a new generation of skaters is stepping into the spotlight, most notably Ilia Malinin. Malinin has already secured two World Championships and three U.S. National Championships, largely due to his groundbreaking ability to land the elusive quadruple axel.
Where is Nathan Chen? A New Chapter
Many fans have been wondering about the whereabouts of Olympic gold medalist Nathan Chen. The decorated skater last graced the Olympic stage in Beijing, where he achieved a remarkable feat, winning gold in both the men’s singles figure skating event and the team competition. However, Chen has embarked on a new journey, pursuing medical school and announcing he won’t be competing in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
“I just want to open doors to kind of see what’s the best sort of approach for me,” Chen explained to The Los Angeles Times. “And frankly, at this point in time in my life, I’ve already accomplished enough in skating that I’m quite satisfied with my career.”
The Rise of the ‘Quad God’: Ilia Malinin
While Chen’s absence will be felt, Team USA is in capable hands with the emergence of Ilia Malinin, affectionately known as the ‘Quad God.’ The 20-year-old skater, renowned for his mastery of the quadruple axel, enters the Olympic arena with significant expectations. Fans can watch all the action from the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Games live on NBC and Peacock.
Team USA’s Transition and Olympic Legacy
Of the athletes who contributed to the U.S.’s gold medal victory at the 2022 Olympics (Nathan Chen, Vincent Zhou, Karen Chen, Alexa Knierim, Brandon Frazier, Madison Hubbell, Zachary Donohue, Madison Chock, Evan Bates), only Chock and Bates are slated to return for the 2026 Games. This signifies a significant shift in the team’s composition and a reliance on emerging talent like Malinin.
The U.S. boasts an impressive Olympic record in figure skating, leading the medal count with 17 gold medals and a total of 54 medals overall. Russia follows with 14 gold medals. Legends like Sonja Henie (Norway), Irina Rodnina (Soviet Union), and Gillis Grafström (Sweden) have each secured three individual gold medals, while Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada hold the record for the most total medals with five gold and two silver.
Where to Watch
Individual and team gymnastics events at the 2026 Olympics will be broadcast on NBC New York and USA Network. Streaming options will be available on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC Olympics app, and the NBC app.
