Ilia Malinin entered the Winter Olympics as one of Team USA’s brightest medal hopes. The reigning world champion and two-time U.S. national champion arrived in Milan-Cortina carrying significant momentum after dominating the international circuit over the previous two seasons. Known for his technical arsenal, including the quad Axel that reshaped the sport’s difficulty ceiling, Malinin helped anchor the United States in the team event with a strong free skate that showcased both his jump content and improved artistry.
However, the individual men’s event did not unfold as expected. Despite landing multiple quadruple jumps, Malinin made costly errors that dropped him out of gold-medal contention. The performance fell short of the standard he had set during his title-winning campaigns, leaving fans disappointed but hardly diminishing his stature within the sport.
James Lang-Imagn Images
Even so, supporters will not have to wait long to see him back on competitive ice. Malinin remains scheduled for several high-profile appearances in 2026, including the ISU World Figure Skating Championships and select Grand Prix events as he continues building toward another Olympic cycle.
Looking further ahead, additional news about his future has already surfaced. Fabio Signorini, owner of Bol On Ice, who is currently in Milan and Cortina finalizing agreements for the next edition of the event, confirmed Malinin’s participation for 2027.
“Malinin will be at Bol On Ice in 2027,” Signorini said. “As everyone knows, he couldn’t be there a month ago because he was busy with the American national championships, a must-see for every American athlete, as the tournament serves as an Olympic trial to secure a spot at the Games. But next year he’ll be back, enchanting everyone.”
Ilia Malinin is set to return to Bol on Ice in Bologna, Italy, in 2027 after missing this year’s edition due to the U.S. Championships.
📍 Unipol Arena, Bologna, Italy
📅 8PM, 9 January 2027
💵 38.00€–225.00€
📸 Wilma Alberti pic.twitter.com/dnyDQGRTrs— Ilia Malinin Daily (@TheIliaSociety) March 2, 2026
Bol On Ice is one of Europe’s premier figure skating galas, blending elite competitive skaters with theatrical production elements and exhibition programs. The annual showcase draws top international names and large crowds, particularly in Italy, where figure skating continues to grow following the Milan-Cortina Games. Malinin’s return is expected to headline the 2027 edition, especially given his reputation for pushing technical boundaries.
Despite the uneven Olympic outcome, Malinin remains one of the most promising and marketable stars in men’s figure skating. At just 21, his technical ceiling, competitive résumé and growing global profile ensure that expectations will remain high as he transitions from Olympic disappointment to the next phase of his career.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the Olympics section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
