Olympic Debutante Amber Glenn Defies Norms

Amber Glenn is heading to her first Olympics with more than medals on her mind. The 26-year-old U.S. figure skater has earned a spot on the 16-member team for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, marking a significant milestone in her career after three consecutive singles golds at the U.S. Championships and a Grand Prix gold in the 2024-25 season.

Breaking Barriers On and Off the Ice

In December 2019, at age 20, Glenn publicly came out as bisexual and pansexual in an interview with the Dallas Voice. The announcement made national headlines, as a prominent U.S. skater claimed her identity in a sport that typically maintains a traditional image.

“It feels like yesterday, but it also feels like this is how I’ve always been,” Glenn said on News Of Losangeles‘s “My New Favorite Olympian” podcast. “I’d had some success when I was 13 or 14, then left the sport for mental-health reasons. When I came back, I was doing it for me. But I didn’t feel like I fit in.”

Glenn found support and inspiration in fellow U.S. skater Timothy LeDuc, who in 2022 became the first openly non-binary Olympian to compete in the Winter Games, using they/them pronouns. The two trained together, and LeDuc’s authenticity provided a safe space for Glenn to embrace her true self.

“They lived as themselves, and I felt safe with them,” Glenn said of LeDuc. “I saw the struggles they went through competing in a sport that’s very much like, you’re A or B. They were really inspiring to me.”

The Power of Visibility

The impact of Glenn’s authenticity became immediately apparent. At the 2020 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina-her first competition after coming out-she experienced an emotional moment that would define her career.

“I remember skating my first competition after coming out and seeing pride flags in the audience,” Glenn recalled. “People were cheering louder than ever. I almost started crying before I even skated. It was one of the most emotional performances of my life. I felt so free.”

The pride flags became a familiar sight wherever Glenn performed, even appearing at her first Four Continents event in Korea. This visibility reinforced the global reach of her impact and the connection she had forged with fans worldwide.

Challenging Figure Skating Traditions

Glenn’s authenticity extends beyond her personal identity to her artistic choices on the ice. She has embraced non-traditional wardrobe options, swapping expected attire for authentic pantsuits that reflect her personality and performance themes.

“If I want to wear a pantsuit, I’m going to wear a pantsuit,” she declared. “When it fits the music and fits the story, it’s not even a question.”

Her music selections similarly defy convention, featuring the dynamic and fierce sounds of Madonna and Janet Jackson rather than typical ballet options. These choices represent a deliberate departure from figure skating’s traditional expectations, even as athletes are scored on aspects like how they embody “femininity” or “masculinity.”

Despite these scoring considerations, Glenn remains unconcerned about potential criticism or judgment regarding her choices.

Building Community and Mentorship

Known affectionately as “mama bear” for carrying a giant bag filled with handy supplies, Glenn has become a mentor figure for the next generation of skaters developing their unique personalities. Her impact extends far beyond her competitive achievements.

“Meeting people after competitions or in DMs and hearing their stories, what I’ve done in the spotlight might have helped them in their own communities, that’s what I gravitate toward,” she explained.

LeDuc praised Glenn’s consistent authenticity as key to her success and influence: “Something I noticed about Amber was that she was always very much herself. Skaters can get caught up in perfection, in trying to mold themselves into what they think they need to be. But Amber’s just always been Amber. On the ice, off the ice, interviews, training days, the same person.”

Advice for the Next Generation

Glenn acknowledges that embracing authenticity requires courage, especially in a world where safety concerns remain paramount for LGBTQ+ individuals. Her advice emphasizes finding support systems and prioritizing personal well-being over external judgment.

“It can be so hard because, unfortunately, we live in a world where we have to think about safety first,” she said. “One of the best things you can do is find people who support you and accept you. If you’re in a safe place, and the only thing holding you back is judgment, forego that. Hiding who you are is more damaging than anything anyone else could say.”

Olympic Dreams and Beyond

As Glenn prepares for her Olympic debut, she carries with her not just the weight of competition but the hopes of a community that sees her as more than an athlete. Her journey from a young skater who left the sport for mental health reasons to an Olympic-bound athlete who embraces her authentic self represents a broader shift in sports culture.

LeDuc emphasized Glenn’s significance: “Amber’s paving the way for so many skaters, queer and otherwise. She’s the champion we need right now.”

From pride flags filling arenas worldwide to challenging gender norms through wardrobe and music choices, Amber Glenn has transformed from simply competing in figure skating to actively reshaping it. Her Olympic debut represents not just a personal achievement but a milestone for authenticity and representation in winter sports.