Ilia Malinin’s Olympic Backflip & Milan Games Insights

MILAN, Italy – The roar is real. Watching Ilia Malinin skate continues to be a surreal experience. I saw him land his backflip at the U.S. National Championships last month, and twice in his first two Olympic skates this weekend. What strikes me every time is the effect it has on the crowd – a collective surge of sound that seems to physically shake the arena and, according to Malinin, energizes his performance.

“It’s honestly such an incredible roar-feeling in the environment,” he said after his first Olympic backflip on Saturday. “Once I do that backflip, everyone is, like, screaming for joy and they’re just out of control.”

We are not accustomed to seeing backflips in Olympic figure skating, in large part because the move was illegal in competition from the late 1970s until 2024. The change in regulations has unleashed a new level of athleticism and spectacle on the ice.

Beyond the Ice: A Glimpse into the Winter Games Experience

Yesterday, I ventured beyond the figure skating arena to the Milano Speed Skating Stadium to witness the women’s 1000-meter race. The contrast between the two venues was striking. The speed skating rink offered a different energy, a different rhythm. Team USA’s Brittney Bowe and Erin Jackson were competing, but the crowd’s enthusiasm was clearly focused on Dutch skater Jutta Leerdam, who ultimately won gold and set a new Olympic record.

The journey to the speed skating rink itself was an experience. The stadium is approximately a mile from the nearest metro stop, and the path is largely covered by moving walkways – a surprisingly efficient and somewhat futuristic mode of transportation. The sheer number of people utilizing these walkways, and the occasional frantic dash to keep up, provided a glimpse into the logistical challenges of hosting an event of this scale.

The atmosphere inside the speed skating arena was markedly different from the figure skating venue. While both are cold, the speed skating rink felt warmer, perhaps due to the constant motion and the energy of the crowd. The layout was also distinct, with a bustling area in the center of the oval occupied by timekeepers, journalists, and other officials. The speed and precision of the skaters were captivating, a blur of motion that demanded close attention.

One detail I hadn’t fully appreciated from watching on television was the presence of other skaters warming up in the lanes adjacent to the competitors. The camera angles often create the illusion that only the two racers are on the ice, but in reality, there’s a constant flow of activity, a preparation zone buzzing with anticipation.

And then there was the small camera, whizzing around behind the skaters, reminiscent of the golden snitch from the Harry Potter series. It’s a subtle detail, but one that added to the overall spectacle.

Small Observations, Global Implications

The crowd’s overwhelming support for Jutta Leerdam was also notable. An estimated 80% of the spectators were wearing orange, the color of the Netherlands, and the cheers for the Dutch skaters were noticeably louder than those for their American counterparts. The presence of Leerdam’s fiancé, American influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul, also drew attention, highlighting the growing intersection of sports and entertainment.

A seemingly minor detail – the design of water bottles – also caught my attention. Almost every beverage here is served in a plastic bottle, and the caps are now tethered to the bottle itself, a change mandated by a 2024 European Union directive aimed at reducing plastic waste. While a minor inconvenience – the caps don’t come off completely, sometimes scratching your nose when you drink – it reflects a broader commitment to environmental sustainability.

The EU explained at the time that bottle caps were among the top 10 most commonly found single-use plastic items on European beaches, posing a threat to marine life. It’s a small change, but one that underscores the growing awareness of the environmental impact of even the most commonplace items.

These observations, seemingly small in isolation, collectively paint a picture of the Winter Olympics as more than just a sporting event. It’s a cultural exchange, a logistical undertaking, and a reflection of broader global trends. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of athletic competition, the world outside continues to shape the experience.