Figure skater Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” is already one of the biggest stars at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Team USA member earned the nickname after becoming the first skater to land a quadruple axle in competition.
Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Malinin is the favorite to bring home the gold in the men’s individual competition after landing seven clean quadruple jumps in his free skate at the Grand Prix Final.
While there’s a lot of pressure on the 21-year-old’s shoulders at these Olympic Games, helping keep Malinin calm and focused are his parents, Roman Skorniakov and Tatiana Malinina, who are also his coaches.
The young phenom took the masculine form of his mother’s last name. “Nobody knew how to pronounce my dad’s last name,” Malinin explained. “So that’s why we went with my mom’s last name.”
Here’s what you need to know about the two-time reigning world champion’s parents:
1. Roman Skorniakov and Tatiana Malinina Are Former Olympic Figure Skaters
GettyIlia Malinin’s mother, Tatiana Malinina, performs her women’s short program during the 2002 Olympics.
Figure skating talent runs in the family. Malinin’s father, Skorniakov, and mother, Malinina, both born in Uzbekistan, represented their country in the Olympics.
Malinina started skating at age six, per Golden Skate. A two-time Grand Prix champion, she was the first figure skater from her country to win an international medal, winning ten straight titles in Uzbekistan. She placed eighth at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
The Siberian Academy of Physical Culture graduate attempted to compete at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City but was forced to withdraw due to the flu.
Ilia Malinin’s father and coach, Roman Skorniakov competes at the 2002 Olympics.
Skorniakov, who started skating at age four, also attended the Siberian Academy of Physical Culture. Like his wife, he also competed at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics, finishing in 19th place each time. Skorniakov and Malinin coached under Igot Ksenofontov until his death, after which they coached each other.
2. Ilia Malinin’s Parents Moved to America to Train Before Getting Married in 2000
GettyU.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin speaks with coach and father Roman Skorniakov while training at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games.
Two years before Skorniakov and Malinina tied the knot in 2000, they moved to Dale City, Virginia, to train. “I like America very much. It was difficult to come to America, but easy to stay,” she told Golden Skate. “I used to train six days a week, twice a day for an hour and a half, but during the season I don’t train as much.”
Around this time, Malinina started coaching younger skaters, as well. “I love coaching. It’s even more fun than skating for me now,” she said. After they both retired in 2002, Malinina gave birth to Ilia in 2004.
They currently coach SkateQuest in Reston, Virginia.
3. Roman Skorniakov and Tatiana Malinina Have a Daughter Named Elli Beatrice
It comes as no surprise that the couple’s daughter, Elli Beatrice, is also a figure skater. She’s also quite talented. Elli, who’s nicknamed “Liza,” is a nationally ranked junior skater at age 11.
She looks to follow in her big brother’s footsteps. Malinin told People last month, “I thought I was going to be a soccer player, but my parents didn’t have time to take me to soccer lessons — so skating kind of took over.”
4. Roman Skorniakov and Tatiana Malinina Won Best Coach at the ISU Figure Skating Awards
Skorniakov and Malinina, who coach at SkateQuest in Reston Virgina, won Best Coach Award at the ISU Figure Skating Awards in March.
“We didn’t expect this. There were so many nominees on the long list and we got into the final,” Malinina said. “It was a big surprise for us to win. All coaches are working hard and they are all great. To win among all those great coaches is an even bigger victory for us.”
At the same ceremony, Malinin took home the Most Entertaining Program Award for his Short Program to “Running” by NF. The piece was choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne, who won the Best Choreographer Award. Malinin also won the Skater of the Year Award.
“I want to thank my coaches and my parents for making me do all the hard work and to really push me to not be lazy on the ice every day and to really just try to make the best out of me and push my own limits,” Malinin said.
“I’m really blessed to have them. I would say that a few years ago I don’t think I’d be seeing myself here even on the senior stage but being here in front of all of you incredible people with this award here just means so much to me. I’m really thankful for all of you for making skating what it truly is.”
5. Ilia Malinin’s Great Grandmother Sold Her Wedding Ring to Buy His Mother’s Skates
GettyU.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
“A lot of the times my parents tell me that I should always be grateful for everything, because, of course, knowing them, their story, they grew up in a very hard life, Malinin told USA Today’s Milan Magic podcast.
“My mom’s grandmother, she had to sell her wedding ring to get my mom her first pair of skates, and that just made my heart melt, because I’m looking at myself now and I’m like, I’m so spoiled, I should be extremely grateful for everything I have — but I’m so grateful for my parents, because without them, I would not be where I am today.”
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