Two Texans Skate Their Way Onto the Olympic Stage

Texas may not be known for ice rinks, but that didn’t stop two Texans from skating all the way to the Olympics! It could be the Heated Rivalry effect, but I am all in on the Winter Olympics!

Following the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis, Amber Glenn and Emily Chan were officially named to the U.S. Figure Skating Olympic team. It will be the first Winter Olympic appearance for both skaters.

Amber Glenn Locks in Olympic Spot With Historic Win

Amber Glenn, a 26-year-old Plano native, secured her Olympic berth by winning her third straight U.S. national championship, a feat not accomplished since Michelle Kwan.

Glenn posted a record-breaking 83.05 points in the women’s short program and followed it with a personal-best 150.50 free skate, finishing ahead of reigning world champion Alysa Liu. With no American woman winning Olympic gold since 2002, Glenn now enters the Winter Games as a serious contender.

Amber Glenn Redefines Modern Figure Skating

Glenn is known for challenging the traditional “ice princess” image, skating in rhinestone pants and performing to nontraditional music like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Papa Roach.

She’s also the first openly queer woman to compete on the U.S. women’s Olympic figure skating team and has spoken openly about her mental health journey, including depression, an eating disorder, and ADHD- all while competing at the sport’s highest level.

Emily Chan Earns Olympic Berth in Pairs Skating

Emily Chan, 28, grew up in Pasadena, Texas, and will compete in the pairs event alongside partner Spencer Akira Howe.

After a fall left them eighth in the short program, the duo rebounded with a strong free skate to finish fourth overall- enough to earn an Olympic spot amid pending citizenship reviews involving other teams.

Chan began her skating career in Texas, later graduating as valedictorian of Texas Online Preparatory School, and now trains with the Skating Club of Boston.

Texas Sends Two Skaters to the Winter Olympics

Two skaters. Two different paths. One Olympic destination. Amber Glenn and Emily Chan prove elite figure skating talent can come from anywhere- including Texas. And this winter, the Lone Star State will be well represented on the Olympic ice.