2026 Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure Skating Amidst New Rules & Team USA’s Gold Hopes

2026 Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure Skating Amidst New Rules & Team USA’s Gold Hopes

February 2, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom World

Figure Skating at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics: A New Era

All eyes are on figure skating as the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics approach, marking the first Winter Games since the 2022 scandal involving Russian skater Kamila Valieva. The events begin even before the Opening Ceremony, starting February 6th and continuing through February 19th.

The Shadow of Beijing and Rule Changes

The 2022 Beijing Olympics were marred by controversy when Valieva, then 15, tested positive for a banned heart medication. This resulted in a team gold medal being initially questioned and, being awarded to the United States in 2024 after Valieva’s disqualification. The fallout from this event prompted rule changes, with the International Skating Union raising the minimum age for skaters to 17 in time for the Milan Cortina Games.

Russia’s Limited Presence in Milan Cortina

While Russian athletes have returned to international winter sports, their presence at the 2026 Olympics is significantly reduced. Just 13 Russian athletes are set to compete as neutral individuals, a stark contrast to the over 200 who participated in Beijing. Russia is excluded from team sports like ice hockey. These athletes will compete without national identity, flags, or anthems, and will not participate in the opening ceremony athlete parades.

Team USA: A Force to Be Reckoned With

The U.S. Figure skating team is entering the games with considerable strength. World champions Ilia Malinin and the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates are expected to be strong contenders. Malinin is favored to win gold in the men’s event, following in the footsteps of Nathan Chen. Chock and Bates, who were part of the team that initially won gold in Beijing but didn’t receive a ceremony due to the doping scandal, are aiming for a proper celebration this time around.

Joining them are Andrew Torgashev and Maxim Naumov in the men’s competition. Naumov’s journey to the Olympics is particularly poignant, fulfilling the dreams of his late parents who perished in a plane crash in January 2025. Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko will compete in ice dance, while Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn will represent the U.S. In the women’s competition. Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, and Emily Chan and Spencer Howe will compete in pairs.

A Personal Journey to the Olympics

Maxim Naumov’s story highlights the emotional weight of Olympic participation. His parents, Vadim and Evgenia Naumov, had consistently encouraged his Olympic aspirations, and his selection to the team is a tribute to their memory.

What About Valieva?

Kamila Valieva, now 19, served a ban that expired in December and has returned to competition, demonstrating her skill with a quadruple jump. However, she is not eligible to qualify for the Milan Cortina Olympics. Adeliia Petrosian is a Russian skater competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete and is considered a contender for the women’s gold medal.

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FAQ

  • What is the minimum age for skaters at the 2026 Olympics? The minimum age is 17.
  • Is Russia competing as a team? No, Russia is excluded from team sports.
  • When does figure skating begin at the 2026 Olympics? February 6th.
  • Who are some of the key U.S. Figure skaters to watch? Ilia Malinin, Madison Chock & Evan Bates, and Alysa Liu are among the top contenders.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Adeliia Petrosian, the Russian skater competing as a neutral athlete, as she is considered a strong contender for the women’s gold medal.

Stay updated on all the action from the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics! Explore more articles on our site for in-depth coverage of the games and its athletes.