Before Ilia Malinin Became Figure Skating’s New Superstar, His Mother Tatiana Malinina Was Already Making Olympic History — And Fans Rediscovering Her Performances Say Her Talent Still Feels Ahead Of Its Time

Long before Ilia Malinin earned global fame as the “Quad God,” his mother, Tatiana Malinina, was already captivating audiences on Olympic ice. Representing Uzbekistan at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Tatiana delivered a short program that showcased technical precision, effortless glide, and musical control — qualities that continue to impress viewers even decades later. While she ultimately placed ninth after the short program, many skating fans now revisiting the footage argue her performance deserved far greater recognition, especially considering the judging standards and scoring system of the era.

At a time when women’s figure skating was evolving rapidly, Tatiana stood out for her powerful yet controlled jumps, smooth transitions, and mature presentation. Modern viewers, accustomed to today’s scoring system rewarding technical difficulty more heavily, often remark that her skating style might have earned significantly higher marks if she were competing in the current era. Clips circulating online have sparked renewed admiration, with longtime fans even comparing her presence on the ice to some of the most dominant skaters of the late 1990s and early 2000s, noting how her consistency and elegance helped shape the next generation — including her own son.

Today, as Ilia continues to dominate headlines, many are discovering just how much of his skating DNA traces back to his parents’ careers. Tatiana and her husband, former Olympic skater Roman Skorniakov, eventually stepped away from competition to focus on coaching and raising their children, quietly laying the foundation for Ilia’s rise. Watching Tatiana perform now offers a glimpse into the legacy behind the young star — and reminds fans that Olympic brilliance often runs deeper than a single generation.