WORLD WORLDWIDE USA US / OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES 2026 / MILAAN-CORTINA - One Rink, One Dream--Let Them Skate
By MJ Todd
Canada
One Rink, One Dream--Let Them Skate
Help a Figure Skater Reach there Dream
I was fortunate. I had access to quality coaching, safe ice rinks, proper equipment, and the financial support needed to chase my figure skating dream. I never had to wonder if I could afford my next training session or competition. That privilege gave me a chance many talented skaters around the world will never receive.
This fundraiser exists for those skaters.
Across different countries, there are young figure skaters with Olympic-level talent training in difficult conditions — worn-out boots, limited ice time, no sponsorships, and families already stretched beyond their limits. Their passion is just as strong. Their discipline is just as deep. But opportunity is what they are missing.
Your donation will help provide:
Coaching and training support
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Ilia Malinin - Team USA
Ilia Malinin
Ilia Malinin
What Is Ilia Malinin’s Ethnicity, Religion & Nationality? Exploring Family Roots and Background
American figure skater Ilia Malinin, the two-time World champion (2024, 2025), three-time Grand Prix Final champion, and four-time U.S. national champion (2023–2026), holds American nationality.
Born on December 2, 2004, in Fairfax, Virginia, he represents the United States in international competitions and is a fluent English and Russian speaker. His ethnicity is rooted in Russian heritage. Both parents, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, are Russian-born former Olympic figure skaters who competed for Uzbekistan after the Soviet Union's dissolution (they switched federations in the mid-1990s).
Tatiana, originally from Russia, moved to Uzbekistan as a teenager; Roman initially competed for Russia before changing. Ilia was given his mother's surname (Malinin, from the Russian word for "raspberry") because his parents felt Skorniakov would be harder to pronounce.
His maternal grandfather, Valery Malinin, a former Soviet competitor and coach in Novosibirsk, Russia, reinforces the strong Russian family ties. Ilia often describes his background as a blend of cultures due to his parents' Uzbek representation and American upbringing.
No public information confirms Ilia Malinin's religion; neither he nor his family has discussed any specific faith or religious affiliation in interviews, profiles, or media coverage. His roots blend Russian origins, post-Soviet Uzbekistan ties through his parents' careers, and full American identity as he pursues Olympic gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games as the "Quad God."
#IliaMalinin #GrandPrix #Finalchampion #internationalcompetitions
Ilia Malinin he also thinks about the others.
This is in the spirit of One Rink, One Dream—Let Them Skate.
I grew up with access — good ice rinks, proper coaching, safe equipment, and people who believed in my dream. I never had to choose between food and training. I never had to skip competitions because of money. I was privileged in ways many young figure skaters around the world will never experience.
And because of that, I know this truth: talent alone is not enough
to reach the Olympics. Opportunity is everything.
Right now, there are gifted figure skaters training in broken rinks, worn-
out skates, and freezing arenas. Some come from war-affected countries.
Some come from families who sacrifice everything just to keep their child
on the ice. They skate with the same fire, the same discipline, and the
same Olympic dream — but without the support I was lucky to have.
This donation is about closing that gap.
Your contribution helps provide:
Proper training resources
Competition access and travel support
Safe equipment and ice time
A real chance to pursue Olympic qualification
I don’t donate out of guilt. I donate out of gratitude. Because I know how
powerful privilege can be when it is shared.
If you believe the Olympics should represent talent, not wealth, then this
cause matters.
Please donate. Please share. And help a skater who was not born into
privilege still reach an Olympic dream.
Together, we can help a skater take one step closer to the Olympics. ⛸️✨️
PROGRAM ON NBC OLYMPICS
Source: MJ. Todd - Canada
One Rink, One Dream--Let Them Skate - usa us
NBC Olympics
Ilia Malinin - usa us
Blog editorial team: Luc Schrijvers - Belgium
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