A wave of online speculation erupted this week following Ilia Malinin’s record-setting short program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Social media posts and edited slow-motion clips have circulated with claims of “VAR cheating footage” and alleged technical irregularities. However, as of now, there has been no official finding of wrongdoing, no scoring revision, and no protest upheld by judges.
Here’s what actually happened — and what didn’t.
The Performance in Question
At the men’s short program on 10 February, Ilia Malinin, the two-time reigning world champion from the United States, delivered a commanding skate that earned 108.16 points.
He landed:
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Quadruple flip
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Quadruple Lutz–triple toe combination
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Triple Axel
His score placed him ahead of Kagiyama Yuma (103.07) and Adam Siao Him Fa (102.55).
The performance took place at the Milano Ice Skating Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Malinin, nicknamed “The Quad God,” appeared visibly more relaxed compared to his earlier team event skates and finished with his signature celebratory flair.
Where the “VAR Cheating” Narrative Started
The controversy appears to stem from slow-motion replays circulating online, where fans have zoomed in on:
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Edge takeoff on the quad Lutz
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Rotation completion timing
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Blade position upon landing
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Possible under-rotation frames
In figure skating, jumps are reviewed by a technical panel using replay technology. However, figure skating does not use football-style “VAR” (Video Assistant Referee). Instead, the ISU technical panel reviews elements in real time and through slow-motion replay before confirming calls.
At this time:
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No jump was downgraded.
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No under-rotation was called.
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No edge violation was officially assessed.
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No protest has been upheld.
There has been no official challenge altering the results.
How Judging Actually Works
Under ISU scoring rules:
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Technical specialists review takeoff edges and rotations via replay.
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A jump may receive:
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“<” for under-rotation (¼–½ short)
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“<<” for downgrade (½ or more short)
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“e” for incorrect edge takeoff
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None of these markers appeared on Malinin’s Olympic short program protocol sheet.
Judging panels are composed of:
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Technical specialist
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Assistant technical specialist
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Technical controller
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Nine judges assigning GOE (Grade of Execution)
If an error were identified, it would be reflected immediately in the score breakdown.
The Reality of Elite Jump Margins
At the highest level of figure skating, quadruple jumps are evaluated within fractions of a second and degrees of blade angle. In slow motion, nearly every elite quad can appear borderline depending on frame selection.
Experts note that:
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Internet clips often isolate single frames that do not reflect the panel’s multi-angle review.
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Camera angles can distort perception of edge lean.
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Frame timing can exaggerate under-rotation appearance.
Technical panels review high-speed replay, not social media edits.
Pressure and Perfection
Malinin has built a reputation for pushing the sport’s technical ceiling. His quad arsenal — including the quad Axel — has redefined modern men’s skating. With that dominance comes scrutiny.
High-profile athletes often face increased technical dissection, especially at Olympic events.
There is currently:
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No disciplinary inquiry announced.
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No ISU statement indicating investigation.
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No protest filed by competing federations.
Until such confirmation exists, claims of “cheating” remain speculative.
The Competitive Context
The Olympic short program field remains exceptionally tight. Kagiyama and Siao Him Fa remain within striking distance heading into the free skate.
Malinin acknowledged earlier in the Games that Olympic pressure affected him in the team event but expressed renewed confidence after his short program.
The medals will be decided in the free skate.
Why Viral Narratives Spread Quickly
Several factors amplify controversy in Olympic sport:
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Slow-motion replay culture.
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Frame-by-frame social media analysis.
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National fan rivalries.
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The thin technical margins in quad-era skating.
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The stakes of Olympic gold.
But viral debate does not equal official violation.
Bottom Line
There is no confirmed evidence of cheating, rule violation, or score manipulation involving Ilia Malinin’s short program at Milano Cortina 2026.
Until and unless governing bodies issue a formal ruling, the results stand as scored.
In elite sport — especially when records are broken — scrutiny follows greatness.
For now, the story remains what the official results show: a world champion delivered under pressure and leads heading into the decisive free skate.
The ice, ultimately, will render the final verdict.