Amber Glenn shields crying figure skater from cameraman after crushing Olympic moment

The Team USA star comforted Japan's Kaori Sakamoto after her mistake cost her a gold medal.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Amber Glenn, the American figure skater, shielded Japan's Kaori Sakamoto from a cameraman after Sakamoto made a mistake that cost her the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Glenn, who had also experienced the agony of mistakes earlier in the Games, put her arm around Sakamoto as she appeared to be crying, and then stood in front of the camera to prevent the footage from being filmed.

Why it matters

Glenn's actions demonstrated sportsmanship and empathy towards a fellow athlete in a difficult moment, highlighting the human side of elite competition. Sakamoto's disappointment was compounded by the fact that these were her final Olympic Games before retirement.

The details

Sakamoto entered the final leg of the women's free skating competition in second place with a realistic shot at the gold medal. However, she made a fatal mistake during a triple combo that dropped her to second place, 1.91 points behind American Alysa Liu. Sakamoto said she only felt 'regret' and that the 'frustration is unbearable' after coming so close to winning gold in her final Olympics.

  • Sakamoto skated in the second-to-last position during the women's free skating competition on February 19, 2026.
  • Amber Glenn shielded Sakamoto from the cameraman immediately after her mistake in the arena.

The players

Amber Glenn

A 26-year-old American figure skater who also experienced disappointment at the 2026 Winter Olympics, finishing fifth overall.

Kaori Sakamoto

A 25-year-old Japanese figure skater who announced she would be retiring after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

Alysa Liu

The American figure skater who won the gold medal in the women's event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Dude I know it's their job but they will get all up in your business when you clearly need space it's wild.”

— Amber Glenn (Newsweek)

“I only felt regret. I can't really say. I don't remember what happened in between elements. I have to look back on it and see.”

— Kaori Sakamoto (Olympics.com)

“I've come this far and I couldn't get it done. The frustration is unbearable. I felt like the bronze medal last time was a miracle, and I'm wearing a better medal around my neck yet I'm frustrated — which probably says a lot about all the work I put in the last four years.”

— Kaori Sakamoto (Olympics.com)

What’s next

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina have concluded, and Kaori Sakamoto has announced her retirement from figure skating.

The takeaway

Amber Glenn's compassionate actions towards a fellow Olympian in a moment of heartbreak exemplify the sportsmanship and humanity that can emerge even in the intense pressure of elite competition. Sakamoto's disappointment at falling short of gold in her final Olympics underscores the bittersweet nature of athletic careers and the resilience required to reach the pinnacle of one's sport.