What's happened
Ilia Malinin performed a backflip at the 2026 Winter Olympics, drawing praise and sparking discussions about racial bias. The move, called the 'Bonaly flip,' was pioneered by Surya Bonaly, a Black athlete whose legacy is now being re-evaluated amid the praise for Malinin's athleticism and the sport's evolving acceptance of diversity.
What's behind the headline?
The recent praise for Malinin's backflip highlights ongoing issues of racial bias in figure skating. Bonaly's pioneering move was historically judged harshly, partly due to her race and the sport's conservative standards. Today, Malinin's success is celebrated, but critics argue this reflects a double standard. The sport's acceptance of the move now contrasts sharply with Bonaly's experience, revealing persistent biases. This shift signals progress but also underscores the need for continued efforts toward diversity and fairness in judging. The re-evaluation of Bonaly's legacy and the move's acceptance suggests that the sport is gradually embracing athleticism over appearance, yet the history of discrimination remains a critical context.
How we got here
Surya Bonaly performed a backflip at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, defying a ban on the move for safety reasons. Her act was a symbol of diversity and athleticism in figure skating, challenging stereotypes and pushing the sport to evolve. The ban was lifted two years ago, allowing skaters like Malinin to perform the move openly in competition.
Our analysis
The NY Post highlights Bonaly's historic backflip and her role as a trailblazer, emphasizing her challenges and legacy. France 24 discusses the racial bias in the sport, noting how Bonaly's move was judged differently due to her race and how Malinin's achievement is now celebrated. The Independent and AP News provide background on the move's history, its ban, and its significance as a symbol of diversity. They contrast the praise Malinin receives with the criticism Bonaly faced, illustrating the evolving yet uneven landscape of figure skating.
More on these topics
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Surya Bonaly - French figure skater
Surya Varuna Claudine Bonaly is a French retired competitive figure skater. She is a three-time World silver medalist, a five-time European champion, the 1991 World Junior Champion, and a nine-time French national champion.
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Ilia Malinin - Figure skater
Ilia Malinin is an American figure skater. He is the 2021 CS Cup of Austria bronze medalist and 2022 U.S. national silver medalist. On the junior level, he is the 2021 JGP France I champion and the 2021 JGP Austria champion. He competed in the final segme
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Amber Glenn - American figure skater
Amber Elaine Glenn is an American figure skater. She is the 2021 U.S. national silver medalist, the 2021 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb silver medalist and the 2019 CS U.S. Classic bronze medalist. She has finished within the top ten at two ISU Championships.