Figure skater Amber Glenn is already one of the biggest breakout stars at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Glenn looks to be America’s best shot at winning gold during the women’s singles competition.
The three-time reigning U.S. figure skating champion will first make her Olympic debut in the women’s free skate in the team event on Sunday, February 8.
Before taking the ice, Glenn, who came out as bisexual and pansexual in 2019, spoke to reporters about representing the LGBTQ community amid such polarizing times in America.
GettyAmber Glen after being named to the 2026 United States Figure Skating Olympic team.
“I hope I can use my platform and my voice throughout these Games to try and encourage people to stay strong in these hard times,” she said on Feb 4. “I know that a lot of people say you’re just an athlete, like, stick to your job, shut up about politics, but politics affect us all.
“It is something that I will not just be quiet about because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives. So of course, there are things that I disagree with, but as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days are ahead of us.”
The following day, however, the 26-year-old from Plano, Texas, opened up about the backlash she received following the press conference.
Amber Glenn Is Stepping Away From Social Media After Receiving a ‘Scary Amount of Hate/Threats’
Glenn, the first openly queer woman representing the United States in Olympic figure skating, revealed she’ll be stepping back from social media during the international competition.
She posted on her Instagram Stories on February 7, “When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (Freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice WHEN ASKED about how I feel.”
GettyU.S. figure skater Amber Glenn reveals disappointing news during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“I did anticipated this but I am disappointed by it,” she continued. “I will be limiting my time on social media for my own wellbeing for now but I will never stop using my voice for what I believe in.”
As one of the most prolific athletes competing in this year’s Olympics, it’s a sad turn of events during what should be a thrilling experience for Glenn.
Amber Glenn Said It’s a ‘Hard Time’ for the LGBTQ Community Under This Administration
GettyAmber Glenn of Team United States trains for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games.
Glenn mentioned that she expected a certain level of negative responses following her criticism of the Trump administration.
“It’s been a hard time for the community overall in this administration,” Glenn shared during her press conference. “It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights.
“And now especially, it’s not just affecting the queer community, but many other communities, and I think that we are able to support each other in a way that we didn’t have to before, and because of that, it’s made us a lot stronger.”
Olympic Figure Skater Amber Glenn Shares Disappointing News