An athlete from Dallas-Fort Worth will take center stage Tuesday in one of the Winter Olympics’ marquee events.
Plano native Amber Glenn, 26, will compete in the short program of women’s singles figure skating at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games in Italy. The free skate to determine the medals will be held Thursday.
Glenn is the three-time reigning U.S. champion and has already won a gold medal at these Games in the team event. She has also been embroiled in controversy.
Here’s a closer look at Glenn and how to watch her compete:
Amber Glenn of the U.S competes in the team figure skating event of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 8 at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan. Vittorio Zunino Celotto Getty Images When does Olympic women’s figure skating start? What TV channel is it on?
The women’s short program begins at 11:45 a.m. CST Tuesday. TV coverage starts on USA Network at 11:30 a.m., then shifts to NBC at 1:40 p.m.
The free skate starts at noon Thursday on NBC.
The event will also air as part of NBC’s prime-time coverage both nights, starting at 7 p.m.
Who is Amber Glenn?
Glenn was born and raised in Plano. Her father, Richard, is a police sergeant, and her mother, Cathlene, is a fitness instructor, according to her U.S. Figure Skating bio. She also has a younger sister, Brooke.
Though she was mostly homeschooled, Glenn graduated from Plano Senior High School in 2018.
Is this Amber Glenn’s first Olympics?
Glenn was considered a strong possibility to make the 2022 Olympic team, but she finished 14th in the short program at the U.S. championships, then withdrew before the free skate after testing positive for COVID-19.
U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn poses with her gold medal following the podium ceremony of the figure skating team event during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 8. Wang Zhao AFP via Getty Images
She was named an alternate to the Olympic team but didn’t get a chance to compete.
Glenn took to Olympic ice for the first time last week and won a gold medal as part of the team event.
Amber Glenn identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community
Glenn is the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to skate for the U.S. in the Winter Olympics. She identifies as pansexual.
Glenn criticized the Trump administration at a press conference before the Games.
“It’s been a hard time for the community overall in this administration,” she said. “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. 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.”
A few days later, she said she had received threats for her statement and that she would take a step back from social media during the Olympics.
“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,” Glenn posted on Instagram. “I did anticipate this, but I am disappointed by it.”
Amber Glenn’s music controversy
Glenn faced another mini-controversy at the Olympics over the music she performed to.
Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, who produces music under the name CLANN, expressed surprise to hear that his song “The Return” was being used in Glenn’s routine.
“So just found out an Olympic figure skater used one of my songs without permission for their routine. It aired all over the world … what? Is that usual practice for the Olympics?” McKinnon posted to X.
After a quick communication, McKinnon posted that everything had been resolved.
“I love it when music inspires people,” he posted. “We can all agree that creators deserve clear consent, proper credit, and fair compensation when their work is used. It doesn’t matter if you’re the most famous artist the world or a complete unknown. It’s for all.”
Glenn issued a statement saying she was happy the issue was resolved.
“The issue of music rights can be complex and confusing,” she said. “Seems like there was a hiccup in that whole process. I’m glad we cleared things up with Seb and I look forward to collaborating with him.”
Who is favored to win Olympic women’s figure skating? What are Amber Glenn’s odds?
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto is the odds-on -105 betting favorite to win the gold medal in women’s figure skating, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. (A bettor would have to wager $105 to win $100 on Sakamoto.)
Sakamoto, 25, is the 2022 Olympic bronze medalist and a three-time world champion.
Amber Glenn of the U.S competes in the team figure skating event of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 8. Jamie Squire Getty Images
Reigning world champion Alysa Liu, 20, of the U.S. is the second choice at +270. (A bettor would bet $100 to win $270 on Liu.)
Adeliia Petrosian, an 18-year-old Russian, is the third choice at +320.
Glenn is next at +650, and everyone else is 12-1 or higher.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Jim Barnes is the Star-Telegram’s sports editor. A Fort Worth native and graduate of Castleberry High School, he returned to Texas after 13 years at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He previously was sports editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald and a freelance high school sports reporter for The Dallas Morning News.