Ilia Malinin, widely known as the ‘Quad God’, is currently at the centre of sports headlines following an unexpected, dramatic collapse in the men’s singles free skate at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. After entering the final on Friday, February 13, 2026 (ET), with a solid five-point lead from his short program, Ilia Malinin suffered multiple falls and botched several high-difficulty jumps, ultimately finishing 8th overall. Following his performance, the 21-year-old honestly admitted the shortcomings that led to his defeat. Amid that, an interest has been sparked in his personal life, particularly his relationship status.
Does Ilia Malinin have a girlfriend? He shared his views on relationship
As of February 2026, Ilia Malinin does not have a girlfriend. In recent interviews leading up to and during the 2026 Winter Olympics, figure skater has been very open about his decision to remain single to focus entirely on his career. Ilia told PEOPLE magazine that he would “rather skate than date” at this stage of his life, explaining that he wants to put his priorities into his skating career first. Between training six hours a day, six days a week, and attending George Mason University, he stated he does not have the free time required for a relationship.