Ilia Malinin's Winter Olympics debut is set for men's short program in team event

Editor's note: Follow Olympics figure skating live results and updates from 2026 Winter Games.

MILAN — The Winter Olympics debut “Quad God” is officially set.

Ilia Malinin will skate the men’s short program for the U.S. in Day 2 of the team event on Saturday, Feb. 7, confirming a widely expected decision from U.S. Figure Skating. 

The two-time reigning world champion gives Team USA a great chance to defend its gold medal in the team competition. Although it was a no-brainer for Malinin to handle the short program duties, the biggest question is whether he will perform in both the short and free skate programs in the team competition. 

Doing so would put Malinin in the tough situation of having a quick turnaround for the all important men’s individual event, which begins Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Listen to "Milan Magic" onApple,Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch full episodes onYouTube or on USA TODAY.

The current plan, according to people with knowledge of the situation, is for Malinin to skate the men’s short program in the team event, at which time U.S. officials will assess the Americans’ medal position to decide if Malinin is needed in the long program. If he isn’t, Maxim Naumov and Andrew Torgashev would take the free skate duties.

The decision was made as the team event kicked off on Friday, Feb. 6, with the rhythm dance and short programs for pairs and the women. The ice dance team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates, pair of Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea and Alysa Liu will open the event for Team USA.

A strong performance from Malinin could well position the U.S. for the gold medal spot on the podium as the second half of the team event begins. The ice dance free dance will take place after the men’s short program, and although the announcement for who will do the free dance won't be made until five minutes before it begins, it's expected Chock and Bates will handle it.

Ilia Malinin Olympic figure skating schedule

Malinin will begin his 2026 Winter Olympic run on Saturday, Feb. 7 with the men’s short program beginning at 1:45 p.m. ET. Here is a full breakdown of the Saturday schedule from the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

• Team event, men’s short program: 1:45 p.m. ET
• Team event, ice dance free dance: 4:05 p.m. ET