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Ilia Malinin is a famous American figure skater. People call him the “Quad God” because he can perform many difficult quadruple jumps.
Recently, he has become famous for another move: the backflip. In his latest competition in the Olympics at the Milano Ice Arena, the crowd cheered loudly when he landed the backflip on one leg.
For a long time, the backflip was a “forbidden” move in figure skating. It was banned for 48 years, but it has finally returned to the Olympic Games.
An American skater named Terry Kubicka performed the first backflip at the 1976 Winter Olympics. However, shortly after those games, the International Skating Union (ISU) banned the move. They said it was too dangerous and did not fit the style of ice skating.
For decades, any skater who performed a backflip lost points. In 1998, French skater Surya Bonaly famously did a backflip at the Nagano Olympics. She knew she could not win a medal because of an injury, so she wanted to give the fans something special. Even though she landed on one foot, the judges still gave her a penalty.
In 2024, another French skater, Adam Siao Him Fa, performed the backflip at major competitions. Even with the point penalties, he still won the European title.
Later that year, the ISU officially changed the rules. They decided the backflip is no longer banned. Now, it is a move that skaters can use to make their programs more exciting.
Ilia Malinin says he likes doing the backflip because it fits his music and the fans love it. Fans can see Malinin perform his backflip and his famous quadruple jumps in the Men’s Singles competition this week.
Vocabulary
- Famous – well-known; many people know this person; a star; popular.
- Figure skater – a person who dances on ice using ice skates ⛸️
- Quad – a short word for quadruple; four; doing something four times.
- God – a name for a very powerful being; a person who is the best at something.
- Perform – to do an action in front of other people; to act; to show a skill.
- Quadruple – four times; a jump where the skater turns/spins four times in the air.
- Move – an action; a physical motion; a specific trick in a sport.
- Backflip – a jump where you turn your body backward in a full circle in the air. 🤸
- Latest – the most recent; the newest; something that happened just now.
- Competition – a contest; a game where people try to win; a match.
- Crowd – a large group of people in one place.
- Cheer – to shout with joy; to make a loud noise to support someone. 👏
- Forbidden – not allowed; you must not do it; against the law. 🚫
- Banned – stopped by a rule; not permitted; officially forbidden. 🚫
- Shortly – soon; after a very small amount of time; quickly.
- Games – a big sports event like the Olympics; matches; competitions.
- Style – a way of doing something; how something looks or feels.
- Ice skating – moving on ice using boots with ice skates. ⛸️
- Decade – a time of ten years; a ten-year period
- Point – a unit for scoring in a game; a mark that helps you win.
- Injury – hurt; physical damage to the body; a wound. 🩹
- Fan – a person who really likes a sport or a famous person; a supporter.
- Even though – but; despite; used to show something surprising.
- Judge – a person who decides the score; a person who chooses the winner. ⚖️
- Penalty – a punishment for breaking a rule; losing points for a mistake.
- Title – the name of a prize; being the champion; the top position. 🥇
- Rule – an official instruction; what you can or cannot do.
- Decide – to choose; to make a choice after thinking.
- Program – the performance; the planned dance or routine on the ice.
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- Do you think dangerous moves should be allowed in sports? Why or why not?
- Why do you think fans prefer the backflip more than difficult quadruple jumps?
- Surya Bonaly knew she would lose points, but she did the flip anyway. Was this a good decision?
- Is it more important for a sport to be “traditional” or “exciting”?
- If you were an Olympic judge, would you give more points for a move that is dangerous?
- What is your favorite sport to watch? Does it have any “forbidden” moves?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
Ilia Malinin _____ a famous American figure skater. _____ call him the “Quad God” because he can perform many difficult quadruple _____.
Recently, he has become _____ for another move: the backflip. In his latest competition in the _____ at the Milano Ice Arena, the crowd _____ loudly when he landed the backflip on one _____.
For a long time, the backflip _____ a “forbidden” move in figure skating. It was banned for _____ years, but it has finally returned to the Olympic _____.
An American skater _____ Terry Kubicka performed the first backflip at the 1976 Winter Olympics. However, _____ after those games, the International Skating Union (ISU) banned the _____. They said it was too dangerous and did not fit the _____ of ice skating.
For decades, any skater _____ performed a backflip lost points. In _____, French skater Surya Bonaly famously did a backflip _____ the Nagano Olympics. She knew she could not win a _____ because of an injury, so she wanted to _____ the fans something special. Even though she _____ on one foot, the judges still gave her a _____.
In 2024, another French _____, Adam Siao Him Fa, performed the backflip at major _____. Even with the point penalties, he still won _____ European title.
Later that year, the ISU _____ changed the rules. They decided the backflip is no longer _____. Now, it is a move that skaters can use to _____ their programs more exciting.
Ilia Malinin says he likes _____ the backflip because it fits his music and the fans love _____. Fans can see Malinin perform his backflip and _____ famous quadruple jumps in the Men’s Singles competition _____ week.
