MILAN (February 9, 2026) — U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn is pushing back against the narrative that online harassment derailed her Olympic debut. Following a third-place finish in the team event free skate, Glenn clarified that while the social media abuse she has faced is “scary,” her shaky performance was a matter of physical mechanics rather than mental distraction.
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Despite Team USA ultimately clinching the gold medal, Glenn was visibly disappointed after a routine that included a flawed opening triple Axel and an under-rotated triple Lutz.
| Metric | Detail |
| Score | 138.62 |
| Placement | 3rd (Women’s Free Skate – Team Event) |
| Key Errors | Under-rotated Triple Lutz, shaky Triple Axel landing |
Why the “Shaky” Start?
While many analysts pointed toward the “scary amount” of vitriol Glenn has received for her LGBTQ+ advocacy as the primary distraction, Glenn offered a different perspective:
- Physical Fatigue: After eight consecutive days of high-intensity training in Milan, Glenn reported her legs felt “heavy” and “sore” during the pre-event warmup.
- The “Cold Start”: Unlike other skaters who participated in the short program, Glenn was subbed in specifically for the free skate. She noted that entering the competition “cold” without a preliminary competitive skate made finding her rhythm difficult.
- Adrenaline Management: She described an “adrenaline crash” mid-program, a common hurdle for first-time Olympians facing the immense pressure of the Games.
Standing Her Ground
“I know the story everyone wants to tell—that I lost it mentally because of the comments. But physically, I just didn’t have it today. My performance was about my body, not the noise.”
What’s Next?
With the team gold secured, Glenn now has an eight-day window to recover before the Women’s Individual Event begins on February 17. Her focus has shifted entirely to “rest and recovery” to ensure she is physically peaked for her shot at an individual podium.
