US Figure Skating Olympic Gold Medalists Form Exclusive 'OGM Chain' Text Group

The private chat includes only American figure skaters who have won Olympic gold medals, from Tenley Albright to the latest champions.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A secret text group called the 'OGM chain' (short for 'only gold medalists') includes all American figure skaters who have won Olympic gold medals, from 90-year-old Tenley Albright to the most recent champions like Nathan Chen. The exclusive group allows the elite athletes to stay connected, share memories, and support each other, including during tragic events like a plane crash that killed members of the figure skating community.

Why it matters

The OGM chain represents the pinnacle of American figure skating success, bringing together the country's most accomplished Olympic champions. The group provides a private forum for these legendary athletes to bond over their shared experiences and unique perspectives on the sport.

The details

The text group was started to welcome new Olympic gold medalists into the fold, with recent additions including Ilia Malinin, Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, Ellie Kam, and Danny O'Shea from the 2026 Winter Olympics team event victory. Members use the chat to discuss the sport, share opinions, and support each other, even during tragic events like a deadly plane crash that killed members of the figure skating community.

  • The OGM chain was started sometime before the 2022 Beijing Olympics, when Nathan Chen won his first Olympic gold medal.
  • The group expanded after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, when the latest American gold medalists were added to the exclusive text chat.

The players

Nathan Chen

A 22-year-old American figure skater who won the Olympic gold medal in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Brian Boitano

An American figure skater who won the Olympic gold medal in 1988.

Tenley Albright

A 90-year-old American figure skater who won the Olympic gold medal in the 1950s.

Ilia Malinin

An American figure skater who won the Olympic gold medal in the 2026 Milan-Cortina team event.

Alysa Liu

An American figure skater who won the Olympic gold medal in the 2026 Milan-Cortina team event.

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What they’re saying

“It's really fun. You go into the chat and you're like, 'Wow,' You just think to yourself, 'I'm actually in this community.'”

— Brian Boitano, 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist (The Associated Press)

“It means a lot personally because we are able to talk about the sport and about skaters and about the U.S. team. If we feel strongly about something, we kind of voice our opinions.”

— Carol Heiss, 1956 Olympic Gold Medalist (The Associated Press)

“It was very active during the plane crash, yeah. Everybody was talking then. It was just such a tragedy.”

— Scott Hamilton, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The OGM chain members are expected to continue supporting each other and the broader figure skating community, including through charitable initiatives and events.

The takeaway

The exclusive OGM chain represents the pinnacle of American figure skating success, bringing together the country's most accomplished Olympic champions in a private forum to bond over their shared experiences and unique perspectives on the sport.