Texas Natives Shine at 2026 Winter Olympics

Figure skaters Amber Glenn and Emily Chan represent Team USA after honing their skills in the Lone Star State.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Two female figure skaters from Texas have qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Amber Glenn, a native of Plano, is competing in the women's singles event and helped Team USA win gold in the figure skating team event. Emily Chan, who was born in Pasadena, Texas, is making her Olympic debut in the pairs competition with her long-time partner Spencer Akira Howe.

Why it matters

The success of these Texas-born figure skaters on the Olympic stage highlights the growing prominence of the sport in non-traditional winter sports markets. Their journeys also showcase the diversity of Team USA and how athletes from all backgrounds can achieve their Olympic dreams.

The details

Amber Glenn, a graduate of Collin College and Plano Senior High School, is making the most of her first Olympic appearance. She skated in the women's free skate portion of the team competition, delivering a performance that contributed key points toward the United States' first gold medal in the event since 2006. Off the ice, Glenn has become an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in figure skating, coming out as bisexual and pansexual in 2019. Emily Chan, who was born in Pasadena, Texas and began her skating career in McKinney, is making her Olympic debut in the pairs competition with her long-time partner Spencer Akira Howe. Chan has a complex background in the sport, having previously competed as a singles skater and claiming the 2016 U.S. Junior Championship title.

  • Amber Glenn and Emily Chan qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
  • The figure skating team event took place on February 12, 2026.
  • The Olympic pairs event is scheduled for February 15-16, 2026.

The players

Amber Glenn

A figure skater from Plano, Texas who is competing in the women's singles event for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. She is a graduate of Collin College and Plano Senior High School, and has become an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in figure skating.

Emily Chan

A figure skater from Pasadena, Texas who is making her Olympic debut in the pairs competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, skating with her long-time partner Spencer Akira Howe. She previously competed as a singles skater and won the 2016 U.S. Junior Championship title.

Spencer Akira Howe

Emily Chan's long-time pairs skating partner, who is competing with her at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Olympic pairs event featuring Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe is scheduled for February 15-16, 2026.

The takeaway

The success of these Texas-born figure skaters on the Olympic stage demonstrates the growing popularity of the sport in non-traditional winter sports markets. Their journeys highlight the diversity of Team USA and how athletes from all backgrounds can achieve their Olympic dreams.