Team USA figure skater Amber Glenn finished 13th in the women’s singles short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics, delivering a performance that fell short of medal expectations after a costly technical error.
Glenn, who entered the Milan Cortina Games viewed by many analysts as a potential podium contender, completed a triple axel in her routine but failed to execute a required triple loop combination. The omission resulted in a zero for that element in the technical score, significantly lowering her overall mark.
She earned a score of 67.39 in the short program, placing her 13th heading into the free skate. The mistake cost her several crucial technical points and leaves her with a steep climb if she hopes to contend for a medal in Thursday’s final.
Visibly emotional after finishing her routine, Glenn remained on the ice for several moments before skating off and embracing her coach.
Political Comments Spark Debate
Glenn has also drawn attention during the Games for comments about the political climate in the United States. The 24-year-old skater, who has publicly identified as bisexual and pansexual, previously said that members of the LGBTQ+ community are facing a “hard time” under President Donald Trump’s administration.
“It’s been a hard time for the community overall and this administration,” Glenn said in remarks that circulated widely online. “It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights.”
Her comments generated backlash on social media, prompting Glenn to suspend her accounts temporarily, citing what she described as “hate” directed toward her.
After winning a gold medal at a prior international competition earlier this season, Glenn posted a TikTok message defending her advocacy.
“They hate to see two woke b*tches winning,” she wrote. “If ‘Woke’ means people who use their platforms to advocate for marginalized communities in the country that they are actively representing… then yeah sure?”
Focus Turns to Free Skate
Despite the disappointing short program result, Glenn still has an opportunity to improve her standing in the free skate. However, overcoming a 13th-place position to reach the podium would require a near-flawless performance combined with mistakes from higher-ranked competitors.
The women’s singles competition at the Milan Cortina Games has been closely watched, with several skaters delivering technically demanding programs. Glenn’s triple axel — one of the sport’s most challenging jumps — demonstrated her capability, but the missed combination ultimately proved costly.
As she prepares for the final segment of competition, Glenn will look to regroup and deliver a stronger performance on Thursday, hoping to finish the Olympics on a high note despite the early setback.
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