figure skater who did a backflip
The most famous figure skaters associated with the backflip are:
- Terry Kubicka – first to land a legal backflip in Olympic competition at the 1976 Winter Games, before the move was banned the following year.
- Surya Bonaly – performed a now-legendary illegal backflip at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, landing on one blade and taking a deduction, but becoming an icon for defying the rules.
- Ilia Malinin – current U.S. star who is performing backflips under the new rules that re‑legalized the move ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, where backflips are now allowed again (though not heavily rewarded in scoring).
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Figure skater who did a backflip: from Surya Bonaly to today
If you’re thinking of a figure skater who did a backflip , chances are you’re remembering Surya Bonaly’s rebellious flip at the 1998 Nagano Olympics—or hearing new buzz around Ilia Malinin bringing the move back to major competition.
Backflips have gone from banned stunt to officially permitted element again, and that journey is a big reason this topic is trending.
Quick Scoop
- The backflip in figure skating was first landed legally at the Olympics by Terry Kubicka in 1976.
- The move was banned in 1977 by the International Skating Union (ISU) for safety reasons and because it didn’t land on a single blade like other jumps.
- Surya Bonaly became legendary for doing a backflip at the 1998 Olympics , landing on one foot despite knowing it was illegal and would cost her points.
- In the mid‑2020s, the ISU re‑legalized backflips , allowing them again (with limited scoring value), helping spark the latest wave of discussion.
- Current star Ilia Malinin is performing a backflip in his programs heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking the move’s high‑profile return after nearly 50 years.
Who did the famous backflip?
Surya Bonaly: the iconic rebel move
For most fans, the phrase “figure skater who did a backflip” instantly points to Surya Bonaly.
- At the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics , Bonaly performed a full backflip and landed it on one blade , something almost no one else has done in Olympic competition.
- The move was illegal at the time, so she received a deduction, but the moment became a symbol of defiance against restrictive judging and expectations.
- Clips of that backflip still circulate widely online and in forum discussions, keeping her performance alive as a cult‑favorite moment in Olympic history.
Many forum users describe Bonaly as “the” skater who did a backflip, even though others have done them in different contexts, because hers was both risky and openly defiant.
Other skaters known for backflips
While Bonaly is the most talked about, several other skaters are part of the backflip story.
Terry Kubicka – the original Olympic backflip
- Terry Kubicka (USA) performed a backflip in the 1976 Winter Olympics , making him the first skater to land a backflip in Olympic figure skating competition.
- His backflip was legal at the time , but the ISU banned the move shortly afterward, making him the only skater for decades to have done it legally at the Games.
Scott Hamilton and show backflips
- Scott Hamilton , 1984 Olympic champion, regularly performed backflips in ice shows and exhibitions , becoming famous for them in professional skating—even though he never did them in eligible competition.
Nathan Chen and gala “forbidden” flips
- In the modern era, skaters like Nathan Chen have done backflips in gala exhibitions , where the move is treated as a crowd‑pleasing trick rather than a scored element.
- These performances helped keep the backflip in the public imagination even while it remained banned in official competition.
The backflip rule change and latest news
From banned stunt to legal element again
- The ISU banned the backflip in the late 1970s due to safety concerns and because it violated the principle that jumps should land on one blade.
- Despite the ban, some skaters continued to perform backflips in exhibitions and shows, where the judging rules did not apply in the same way.
- Around 2024, the ISU updated its rules to allow backflips again, typically as part of a choreographic sequence, but without giving major technical points for the element.
Ilia Malinin and the 2026 Olympics
- Leading into the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan , American skater Ilia Malinin —already known as a world champion—is including a backflip in his programs , drawing heavy media attention.
- Backflips are now officially permitted at the Games, so fans are expecting to see the move on Olympic ice again, roughly 50 years after Kubicka’s first attempt.
- News outlets highlight that, while legal, the backflip does not earn a large technical score , but it can boost choreography and crowd reaction.
Key names and what they did (HTML table)
Here’s a quick reference to the main skaters people discuss when talking about figure skating backflips:
html
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Skater</th>
<th>When/Where</th>
<th>Context</th>
<th>Legal or banned?</th>
<th>Why they're remembered</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Terry Kubicka</td>
<td>1976 Winter Olympics</td>
<td>Men's free skate</td>
<td>Legal at the time</td>
<td>First and, for decades, only skater to land a legal Olympic backflip. [web:1][web:3]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Surya Bonaly</td>
<td>1998 Nagano Olympics</td>
<td>Women's free skate</td>
<td>Illegal; she received a deduction</td>
<td>Did a backflip and landed on one blade, becoming an icon of defiance and athleticism. [web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scott Hamilton</td>
<td>1980s–1990s (shows)</td>
<td>Professional exhibitions</td>
<td>Show element; not used in eligible competition</td>
<td>Popularized the backflip in exhibition skating and TV specials. [web:7]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nathan Chen</td>
<td>2022 Olympic gala and shows</td>
<td>Exhibition / gala programs</td>
<td>Not scored, performed as a show trick</td>
<td>Performed high‑profile “forbidden” backflips in gala routines, delighting audiences. [web:6]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ilia Malinin</td>
<td>2024–2026, including 2026 Olympics</td>
<td>Short and free programs under updated rules</td>
<td>Now allowed; low direct scoring value</td>
<td>Symbol of the backflip’s return to official competition; major media focus before and during 2026 Games. [web:4][web:5][web:8]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Forum and trending discussion angles
Online discussions around “the figure skater who did a backflip” usually split into a few recurring angles:
- Who counts as “the” backflip skater?
- Many fans insist that title belongs to Surya Bonaly , because her move was both athletic and politically charged within the sport.
* Others argue **Terry Kubicka** deserves more recognition as the first to do it legally at the Olympics.
- Safety vs. spectacle debate
- Supporters say the backflip is a crowd‑pleaser and skaters should be allowed to take calculated risks.
* Critics worry about **neck and head injuries** , pointing out that a failed backflip can be far more dangerous than typical jumps.
- Rule change and scoring
- Some fans like that the move is back but question why it doesn’t get big technical points , calling it “all risk, little reward.”
* Others think that limited scoring keeps it from overshadowing traditional jumps while still allowing a bit of showmanship.
In forum threads, you’ll often see posts like:
“Who was that figure skater who did a backflip at the Olympics?” followed by answers naming Bonaly for 1998, Kubicka for 1976, and now Malinin as the modern example.
So, which skater are you thinking of?
If you’re recalling:
- A dramatic, defiant backflip by a woman at the Olympics → that’s Surya Bonaly , Nagano 1998.
- A 1970s male skater who got it banned after doing it legally → that’s Terry Kubicka , 1976.
- A current star doing backflips under new rules → that’s Ilia Malinin , on the road to and during the 2026 Winter Games.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.