Figure skating schedule: USA’s ‘Quad God’ skates last in final men’s event

Thursday is the final day of men’s individual figure skating events at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. And it should be one for the ages.

U.S. sensation Ilia Malinin takes to the ice later in the day for a must-watch men’s free skate.

He already led Team USA to its second consecutive gold medal in the team event. And he crushed the competition in the men’s short program, scoring 108.16. A top contender, Yuma Kagiyama, notched a 103. 07. And France’s Adam Siao Him Fa narrowly came in third at 102.55.

Both are considered potential threats to the Quad God’s gold. Thing is, he hasn’t yet attempted the trick that earned him his nickname: a quadruple axel.

Malinin is the only person who has been able to land one so far in competition. It’s considered the toughest jump in the sport. He also wowed with a backflip in an earlier program — and that didn’t even count for points.

The men’s single free skate starts at 1 p.m. ET. Malinin is expected to skate last in the field of 24, with his two primary challengers rounding out the final three.

Medals are awarded based on a combined score of the short and free programs.

Here’s the remainder of the Olympic figure skating schedule

Once the men wrap up their programs Thursday, attention turns to the individual women’s events. We’ll have to wait a few days to watch those.

Tuesday, Feb 17:

• Women’s single skating-short program — 12:45 p.m. ET

Thursday, Feb. 19:

• Women’s single skating-free skate — 1 p.m. ET

Saturday, Feb. 21:

• Exhibition Gala: The exhibition gala (a non-medal event) begins at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT

The U.S. has won more Olympic gold medals (17) in figure skating events than any other country, and the most medals overall, with 54 in total. Russia ranks second in total gold medals, with 14.

Hockey legend Alexander Ovechkin shared something unique with U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin ahead of the Winter Olympics.