U.S. Olympic Athlete Revives a Once-Banned Move from 1977, Surprising Fans

The backflip had long been banned after concerns over safety, with the last legal Olympic version dating back to the 1970s. Although skaters occasionally attempted it in exhibition settings, strict rules kept it out of official routines for years. The rule change allowing the move again opened the door for Malinin to showcase his creativity on one of sport’s biggest stages. Even though he ultimately finished second in the event, his performance captured global attention and quickly became one of the Games’ most talked-about moments.