By Lori Ewing MILAN, Feb 12 (Reuters) - When Ilia Malinin launched himself into a backflip at the Milano Cortina Olympics, it detonated through the crowd like a firecracker and even brought tennis great Novak Djokovic to his feet with his hands on his head in disbelief.

The Olympic gold medal will be awarded Friday at the conclusion of the Men's Free Skate Final, which will see Ilia Malinin attempt to add to a dazzling resume and reputation as the world's best in his sport.

Team USA’s Madison Chock and Evan Bates will go for the gold in the figure skating free dance finals of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

In Wisconsin, speed skating doesn’t just live on Olympic ice. It begins on frozen ponds, flooded baseball diamonds and in tight-knit communities across the state. For two-time Olympian and U.S. Speed Skating Hall of Famer Nick Pearson,

Viral TikTok reveals Olympic figure skating camera operators skating alongside athletes during broadcasts

What is the stare "heard around the world?" An Italian figure skater dropped his partner. She was not happy about it.

Not everything is running smoothly with Snoop Dogg’s new Olympics coaching role. On Wednesday, the legendary rapper’s security guards were reportedly involved in a confrontation with Dutch speed skating legend Marianne Timmer.

Team USA already has two figure skating medals in the bag at the 2026 Winter Olympics. At least one more medal will be earned by the Americans through Ilia Malinin in the men's singles event. A fourth medal is very likely in the women's singles, but which skater or skaters reach the podium is unknown.

Team USA already won gold in the team event for the second consecutive Winter Olympics. Now some of its members are competing for individual glory. Team USA has another chance for a repeat gold in figure skating in the men’s singles.

MILAN — Ilia Malinin playfully threw a couple of jabs at a TV camera while skating off the ice Tuesday night, the pressure of his first Olympics having seemingly vanished following a team gold medal and a near-perfect short program to begin the men's competition.

The three men who have reached the highest peaks in figure skating. Hanyu, Chen, Malinin. Who is truly the GOAT?