Ilia Malinin embroiled in multiple cheating rumours after Milano Cortina 2026
The US Olympic figure skater sparked frenzy online after being linked to fellow athletes amid speculation
Ilia Malinin has become the subject of unverified cheating rumours following his eighth-place finish in the men’s singles event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Speculation emerged on social media after resurfaced club footage appearing to show Malinin dancing closely with a woman started circulating online.
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Following this, retired Canadian figure skater Nam Nguyen allegedly converted his personal account into a burner profile, claiming that the woman in the video was his alleged partner, retired US skater Gracie Gold, who had been unfaithful to him with Malinin.
The burner account also replied to posts referencing a blind item about an A-list figure skater cheating on his girlfriend with multiple people, claiming the skater was Malinin and the woman involved was Gold.
The account also reposted several inflammatory messages.
Additional conjecture stemmed from Olympic Village sightings. None of those named have publicly commented on the claims.
Amber Glenn was also drawn into the online discussion after a nightclub video circulated widely. Some viewers speculated that Glenn was the woman dancing with Malinin. She addressed the rumours directly on TikTok, writing, “AYO PEOPLE THAT’S NOT ME. IM LITERALLY MID COMPETITION.”
Glenn has previously described Malinin, known as the “Quad God”, as like a younger brother.
Further images shared from Milan have linked Malinin to South Korean skater Lee Hae-in. The two longtime friends were photographed together at a local cat café, and have exchanged heart emojis on social media posts, fuelling additional commentary.
The speculation has overshadowed discussion of the competition as athletes depart Italy.
