With history already made through his groundbreaking Olympic backflip and the possibility of an even more difficult jump to come, all eyes are now on the free skating event, where the medals will be decided and Malinin's dominance will be tested by his closest challengers.

One of the most discussed moments of these Games has been the inclusion of the backflip in competitive routines. Long considered the "forbidden fruit" of figure skating, the move was originally banned in 1976 for being too dangerous for a sport judged on "artistic" merit. It became iconic in 1998 when French skater Surya Bonaly performed it at the Nagano Games as a defiant "one-footed" protest against restrictive judging, knowing she would be penalised. Fast forward to 2024, the International Skating Union (ISU) officially legalized the move, arguing it added "spectacle" to the sport. Malinin has embraced this change, making history earlier this week by landing the first legal Olympic backflip during the team event to help secure gold for Team USA.

The Race for Gold: Malinin vs Rest of the World

While the backflip draws the gasps, the gold will ultimately be decided by technical precision and execution. Malinin currently holds a five-point lead over Beijing silver medallist Yuma Kagiyama, who is currently at the second spot with 103.07 points. France's Adam Siao Him Fa, another vocal advocate for the backflip's return, is on the third spot with 102.55. Malinin's technical ceiling is widely regarded as unmatched, as he remains the only athlete to have ever landed the quadruple Axel in competition. Fans are now eagerly waiting to see if he will attempt this historic four-and-a-half-revolution jump in today's long programme to firmly secure the gold medal.

How to watch the live streaming and the live broadcasting of Men's Free Skating Final at the Winter Olympics?

The Men's Single Skating - Free Skating event is scheduled to begin at 23:30 IST (11.30 PM) on February 13. In the United States, coverage will be shared across multiple platforms. USA Network will broadcast the early groups starting at 1:00 PM ET, while the final, highest-seeded groups, including Malinin and Kagiyama, will air on NBC beginning at 3:00 PM ET. For cord-cutters, Peacock remains the primary streaming home, offering live coverage of every skater along with specialized "Rinkside Live" feeds that provide alternate camera angles and vertical viewing options for mobile users.

India's Current Olympic Standings and Upcoming Schedule

As of February 13, 2026, India remains a participant in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with a small but determined two-man contingent. India has not yet secured a medal, which is expected given the intense competition in winter disciplines, but the focus remains on achieving personal bests and historic performances. Cross-country skier Stanzin Lundup is scheduled to compete in the Men's 10km Interval Start Freestyle at approximately 10:45 AM. local time (3:15 PM IST) at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium. Following this, India's most experienced winter Olympian, Arif Khan, will prepare for his specialised Slalom event on February 16, aiming to improve upon his 45th-place finish from the Beijing Games.

Where to Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics in India?

For viewers in India, Viacom18 holds the official broadcasting rights for the Milano Cortina Games. Fans can watch live coverage on the Sports18 television channels, which will feature selected medal events and Indian participation. For online streaming, the Games are available on the JioCinema, or recently integrated JioHotstar, app and website, providing broader access to multiple sports, including figure skating and alpine skiing. Additionally, select live streams and highlights, including Arif Khan's upcoming slalom race, may also be available through the official Olympics.com website for Indian audiences.

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