Ilia Malinin GF: Is Figure Skater Dating Someone?

Ilia Malinin, widely known as the ‘Quad God’, has been at the center of sports headlines following a dramatic collapse in the men’s singles free skate at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Entering the final on Friday, February 13, 2026 (ET), with a five-point lead from his short program, the 21-year-old figure skater suffered multiple falls and mistakes on high-difficulty jumps, ultimately finishing 8th overall. Following his performance, Malinin candidly admitted the shortcomings that led to his defeat.

Ilia Malinin’s Relationship Status: Does He Have a Girlfriend?

As of February 2026, Ilia Malinin does not have a girlfriend. The athlete has been open about his decision to stay single and focus on his career. Malinin told PEOPLE magazine that he would “rather skate than date” at this stage, prioritizing his training and education at George Mason University. He also jokingly mentioned to Vulture that the only ones he is “cuddling” with right now are his two cats, Mysti and Miu Miu. Before his 2026 Milan Olympics performance, Malinin told PEOPLE:

“I know how nerve-racking the Olympics can be, but I’m really excited. I want to put my priorities into my career first and just see where that takes me.”

Rumors About Dating Fellow Figure Skater Anna Sretenski

Speculation about a relationship between Ilia Malinin and fellow skater Anna Sretenski has circulated on social media and fan forums like Reddit. Observers noted occasional photos of the two together, and fans speculated about dating. However, neither Malinin nor Sretenski has publicly confirmed any romantic involvement. Their shared athletic backgrounds—both from families of Olympic skaters—have also fueled these rumors.

Meet Ilia Malinin’s Figure Skater Parents

Ilia Malinin’s parents, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, are former world-class figure skaters who represented Uzbekistan at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics. They now serve as his primary coaches and were honored with the Best Coaching Award at the 2025 ISU Skating Awards. Malinina made history as the first skater from Uzbekistan to win an ISU Championship, with career highlights including the inaugural Four Continents Championships in 1999 and the Grand Prix Final the same year.

Roman Skorniakov was a seven-time Uzbek national champion, finishing 19th at both the 1998 and 2002 Olympics. He often silently supports Malinin during competitions, as Tatiana finds it stressful to watch high-stakes performances in person. Notably, Ilia was given his mother’s surname (in masculine form, Malinin) to make it easier for Americans to pronounce.

Parents Initially Wanted a Different Career Path for Ilia

Tatiana and Roman initially hoped Ilia would pursue soccer instead of professional skating, given the extreme hardships they faced during their own careers. Nevertheless, Ilia chose to follow in their footsteps, and they now take pride in his achievements. His younger sister, Elli ‘Liza’ Beatrice Malinina, has also pursued a figure skating career and is a nationally ranked junior skater.