The Backflip at Milano Cortina has returned to the Olympic stage, marking a historic revolution in figure skating. For the first time in nearly 50 years, the forbidden has become formal. Once deemed too dangerous and outlawed, the backflip is now officially legal, thrilling fans, judges, and skaters alike. At Juan Sports, we tracked the pulse of the Mediolanum Forum in Milan, where the world’s elite athletes are defying gravity and rewriting the rules of what is possible on the ice.
Why the Backflip at Milano Cortina is Legal Again
The backflip was banned by the International Skating Union (ISU) after the 1976 season. For decades, attempting it in competition meant automatic deductions and near-certain loss of competitive points. The ISU cited safety concerns and the disruption of the sport’s aesthetic—landing on one blade rather than two—as the primary reasons for the prohibition.
However, in a landmark decision in mid-2024, the ISU reclassified the backflip as a “choreographic element” for the 2025–26 season. While it doesn’t carry the base value of a quadruple jump, a clean execution can significantly boost a skater’s Program Components Score (PCS), rewarding athleticism, innovation, and audience engagement.
The reintroduction of the Backflip at Milano Cortina represents a dramatic cultural and technical evolution, showing that figure skating can embrace daring moves without sacrificing artistry or competitive integrity.
Ilia Malinin: Leading the Backflip Era
American sensation Ilia Malinin became the face of this aerial revolution. Known as the “Quad God” for his historic quadruple Axel, Malinin made history by landing the first legal backflip in an Olympic competition in 50 years during the Team Event on February 7.
On February 8, he executed a one-blade variation known as the “Bonaly Flip,” named after French legend Surya Bonaly, who famously performed it illegally at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. By landing it cleanly, Malinin cemented the Backflip at Milano Cortina as a legitimate competitive element, turning a move once punished into a celebrated Olympic milestone.
Malinin told Juan Sports after his performance, “Landing the backflip in a competition officially is surreal. For decades, it was seen as impossible or forbidden. Today, it’s part of our sport’s evolution.”
Kazakhstan Makes History Amid the Backflip Boom
While Malinin captured attention with acrobatics, the Men’s Singles podium delivered another historic narrative. On February 15, Mikhail Shaidorov captured Kazakhstan’s first Winter Olympic gold since 1994.
Shaidorov’s approach emphasized precision over high-risk stunts. While several skaters attempted daring maneuvers, including the Backflip at Milano Cortina, Shaidorov focused on flawless execution and technical consistency.
- Gold: Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ)
- Silver: Yuma Kagiyama (JPN)
- Bronze: Shun Sato (JPN)
The triumph proves that while the backflip adds excitement and spectacle, traditional fundamentals remain a cornerstone of championship-level skating.
The French Influence: Adam Siao Him Fa
France’s Adam Siao Him Fa played a pivotal role in popularizing the backflip long before it was legalized. In Milan, he executed the Backflip at Milano Cortina during his short program, earning a standing ovation from the Italian crowd. Though he finished 12th overall with a total score of 269.27, Siao Him Fa’s performance highlighted the artistic and entertainment value of the move.
“For years we were told this isn’t skating,” he told Juan Sports. “Now, the backflip is part of our future. It’s amazing to see the ISU embrace this evolution.”
His influence shows that the Backflip at Milano Cortina is as much about culture and history as it is about technical prowess.
Innovation in Pairs: Assisted Backflips
The 2026 Winter Olympics also saw innovation in pairs figure skating. Canadian duo Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps attempted and successfully landed the first assisted backflip in Olympic history. In this maneuver, the male partner propels the female into a backflip, demonstrating perfect timing, trust, and strength.
This daring move pushed the envelope of the Backflip at Milano Cortina concept, showcasing the versatility of the backflip in both singles and pairs competition. Judges debated the scoring and safety implications, but the flawless execution proved that human-assisted flips could elevate the sport’s choreography while remaining competitive.
Juan Sports Analysis: Why the Backflip at Milano Cortina Matters
At Juan Sports, we believe the Backflip at Milano Cortina represents a critical turning point for figure skating. For years, the sport risked stagnation, with its focus on incremental spins and edge work failing to captivate younger audiences.
- Traditionalists argue that backflips detract from artistry.
- Modernists argue that skaters should be rewarded for courage, core strength, and technical skill.
The roaring crowds at Milan and the viral online clips confirm that audiences crave spectacular, daring performances. The Backflip at Milano Cortina has revived excitement and opened new possibilities for skaters worldwide.
Historic Milestones of the 2026 Backflip Era
| Milestone | Athlete(s) | Date |
| First Legal Olympic Backflip (50 yrs) | Ilia Malinin (USA) | Feb 7, 2026 |
| First One-Blade Backflip | Ilia Malinin (USA) | Feb 8, 2026 |
| First Kazakh Gold since 1994 | Mikhail Shaidorov | Feb 15, 2026 |
| First Assisted Pairs Backflip | Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps | Feb 12, 2026 |
Every moment reinforces the Backflip at Milano Cortina as a symbol of athletic evolution, innovation, and global interest in figure skating.
The Future of the Backflip at Milano Cortina
Looking ahead, the ISU may consider assigning a base value to the backflip in future World Championships, transforming it from a crowd-pleasing spectacle to a strategic competitive element. Rumors suggest that the next generation of skaters could regularly include multiple backflips in their routines, blending artistry and athleticism like never before.
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games have proven that when ambition meets skill, the impossible becomes achievable. The Backflip at Milano Cortina is no longer a forbidden stunt—it is a legitimate measure of athletic mastery.
Whether in singles, pairs, or exhibition events, this move has reshaped figure skating’s identity, inspiring skaters worldwide to challenge the boundaries of physics while staying true to their artistry.
Stay tuned to Juan Sports for exclusive Olympic coverage, including behind-the-scenes analysis, interviews with skaters, and the impact of the Backflip at Milano Cortina on the future of winter sports.
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