02/09/26 04:40:00
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02/09 04:38 CST US figure skater Amber Glenn faces backlash over politics and
copyright issues after Olympic gold
US figure skater Amber Glenn faces backlash over politics and copyright issues
after Olympic gold
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
MILAN (AP) --- On the same day Amber Glenn won Olympic gold as part of the team
event, and stepped away from social media due to backlash over her comments on
politics and the LGBTQ+ community, the American figure skater ended up with
another headache.
Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, who produces music under the name CLANN, took to
social media late Sunday to object to the use of his song "The Return," which
Glenn had used in her free skate --- and has been using for the past two years
without issue.
"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, shortly after the team
competition had ended.
Figure skaters are required to obtain permission for the music they use, but
that process is hardly straightforward.
Sometimes the label or record producer owns the copyright, other times the
artist themselves, and often there are multiple parties involved. Skaters
sometimes will piece together different cuts of music, too. Throw in
third-party companies such as ClicknClear that try to smooth out the permission
process, and the entire copyright issue becomes murky and nuanced.
According to McKinnon, "The deal I have with my label is that I alone can give
the OK to license my music."
Glenn was not available for comment on the music issue early Monday. She
planned to take the day off from training and then leave Milan to practice
elsewhere ahead of the individual women's event, which begins Feb. 17 with the
short program.
Messages left by The Associated Press with U.S. Figure Skating about Glenn's
copyright problem were not immediately returned.
The issue is not the first bit of controversy involving Glenn at the Milan
Cortina Games.
The outspoken LGBTQ+ rights activist said she received threats on social media
after saying during a pre-Olympics press conference that the queer community is
going through a "hard time" amid the political climate under President Donald
Trump.
"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," Glenn said Sunday night, wearing an LGBTQ+ pin on her team jacket
during the team medal ceremony.
"So that was really disappointing," Glenn said, "and I do think it kind of
lowered that excitement for this."
Copyrights never used to be a problem in figure skating because the
International Skating Union barred any music involving vocals, and most
classical music is considered public domain. But when those rules were relaxed
in 2014, and modern music began to be used, artists soon demanded that they
receive compensation for their work.
It all came to a head at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, when one of the indie
artists who covered "House of the Rising Sun" objected to its use by American
pairs skaters Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier. The ensuing lawsuit prompted
the ISU to step in and try to develop systems that would help skaters avoid
copyright infringement claims.
"It's never been an issue and then suddenly it is, and I don't understand why,"
Glenn told the AP ahead of the Winter Games. "I understand there was a big
upset at the last Olympics because some artist --- I'm sorry, they decided to
be (jerks). Like, they couldn't just appreciate this Olympic team competing? It
wasn't even their song to begin with; it was a cover.
"It's not like we're a TV show and playing music in the background for an
emotional scene. It just feels like a cash grab for different companies, and
it's really upsetting that they can't just appreciate that their music has
inspired something creative."
Justin Dillon, the director of high performance for U.S. Figure Skating, said
the governing body has tried to help its skaters avoid any copyright claims. It
is unclear whether the organization played any role in getting Glenn's music
approved.
Numerous fans and even fellow skaters have been quick to rush to the American's
defense.
"I'd be so honored that someone wants to skate to my music and give the music
some amazing exposure," said retired Canadian pairs skater Meagan Duhamel, a
two-time Olympian and three-time medalist. "I used a piece of music for the
2018 Olympics and the artist was so excited she flew to the Olympics to listen
and watch it live."
After Nathan Chen won gold at the Beijing Games with a free skate set to
"Rocket Man," Elton John effusively praised the American for his performance.
Chen later collaborated with the musical legend for a music video to a version
of "Hold Me Closer."
"We really rely on our music," said Alysa Liu, part of the gold medal-winning
U.S. team. "Without music, we're not really our sport."
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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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