Elena Ilinykh

Elena Ruslanovna Ilinykh (, married name Polunin, born 25 April 1994) is a Russian former competitive ice dancer. She is 2014 Sochi Olympic champion. With partner Ruslan Zhiganshin, she is the 2015 Russian national champion.

With former partner Nikita Katsalapov, she is a 2014 Olympic champion in the team event, a 2014 Olympic bronze medalist in ice dancing, a three-time European medalist (silver in 2013 and 2014; bronze in 2012), and the 2010 World Junior champion. Also along with former partner Nikita Katsalapov, she is the second-youngest Olympic ice dance medalist in history and the junior world record holder for the original dance.

Early life Elena Ilinykh was born in Aktau (Shevchenko), Kazakhstan and raised in Moscow, Russia. Her parents divorced when she was two years old. Mir means 'peace' or 'world' in Russian. In April 2022, their second son, Dar, was born. On 25 August 2024, Ilinykh married Polunin after 5 years since the announcement of their engagement. In March 2026, their daughter, Runa, was born.

Ilinykh is a supporter of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and performed on Russian TV in support of the invasion.

Programs

With Zhiganshin Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition 2016–2017 Blues: Big Bad Loveby Ray Charles and Diana Ross Swing: Sing Sing Singby Louis Prima Slumdog Millionaire (soundtrack) Ang Laga De by Aditi Paul 2015–2016