US Figure Skater Amber Glenn Faces Copyright Backlash After Olympic Gold

Skater's use of unlicensed music sparks controversy, adding to political criticism

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

American figure skater Amber Glenn won Olympic gold as part of the team event, but faced backlash over her comments on politics and the LGBTQ+ community. She also ended up in another controversy over the use of a song in her free skate routine without permission from the artist, Canadian musician Seb McKinnon. Figure skaters are required to obtain permission for the music they use, but the copyright process is often complex and murky.

Why it matters

The copyright issue highlights the challenges figure skaters face in navigating music licensing, especially as the sport has moved away from classical music to more modern songs. It also comes amid broader political and social media criticism of Glenn's comments, underscoring the pressures elite athletes can face both on and off the ice.

The details

Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, who produces music under the name CLANN, objected to the use of his song 'The Return' in Glenn's free skate routine, which she had been using for the past two years without issue. Figure skaters are required to obtain permission for the music they use, but the process is complex, with labels, producers, and artists often holding different rights. Glenn was not immediately available for comment on the music issue.

  • On the same day Amber Glenn won Olympic gold as part of the team event, she stepped away from social media due to backlash over her comments on politics and the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Shortly after the team competition had ended, Canadian artist Seb McKinnon took to social media to object to the use of his song 'The Return' in Glenn's free skate routine.

The players

Amber Glenn

An American figure skater who won Olympic gold as part of the team event, but faced backlash over her comments on politics and the LGBTQ+ community, as well as a copyright issue over the use of a song in her free skate routine.

Seb McKinnon

A Canadian artist who produces music under the name CLANN, and objected to the use of his song 'The Return' in Amber Glenn's free skate routine without permission.

U.S. Figure Skating

The governing body for figure skating in the United States, which has tried to help its skaters avoid copyright claims, though it's unclear if they played a role in getting Glenn's music approved.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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?”

— Seb McKinnon, Canadian artist (X)

“I was disappointed because I've never had so many people wish me harm before, just for being me and speaking ‍about being decent — human rights and decency.”

— Amber Glenn (Associated Press)

What’s next

It is unclear whether U.S. Figure Skating played any role in getting Glenn's music approved, and the organization has not yet responded to messages about the copyright claims.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and murky world of music licensing in figure skating, as the sport has moved away from classical music to more modern songs. It also underscores the broader pressures elite athletes can face, both on and off the ice, when it comes to political and social media criticism.