Olympic Figure Skater’s Music Choice Sparks Unexpected Copyright Debate—And a New Friendship
In a surprising turn of events at the Milan Cortina Olympics, U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn found herself at the center of a copyright controversy—one that ultimately led to a heartwarming resolution. But here's where it gets controversial: Glenn’s use of Canadian artist Seb McKinnon’s song, The Return, in her free skate program went viral for all the wrong reasons—initially. McKinnon, who creates music under the name CLANN, took to social media to express his shock that his song had been used without his knowledge. 'Is this standard practice for the Olympics?' he questioned, sparking a debate about artist rights and Olympic protocols. And this is the part most people miss: while the issue was quickly resolved, it highlights a growing challenge in figure skating—navigating the complex world of music copyright.
Figure skaters are required to secure copyright permissions for their music, but the process is notoriously confusing and error-prone. At these Games alone, several skaters faced last-minute program changes due to copyright issues. 'Music rights can be a maze,' Glenn admitted in a statement. 'There was clearly a misstep somewhere, but I’m thrilled we’ve cleared it up with Seb. I’m even looking forward to collaborating with him in the future.'
The controversy began when McKinnon posted on X (formerly Twitter), initially expressing surprise but later congratulating Glenn on her team gold medal. 'There’s no ill will here,' he clarified. 'I just want to ensure artists’ rights are respected.' Glenn, a three-time U.S. champion and outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate, shared her relief at the resolution. 'Performing at the Olympics was a dream come true,' she said. 'Having Seb acknowledge my performance made it even more special. I hope I’ve introduced new fans to both figure skating and his music.'
This isn’t the first time copyright has caused headaches at the Games. Spanish skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate faced a race against time to secure approval for his Minions-themed program, while Russian skater Petr Gumennik had to switch his short program just days before competing due to missing permissions. The International Skating Union (ISU) has been working to streamline the process, but challenges persist as skaters increasingly use modern music to reflect their personalities.
But here’s the bigger question: As figure skating evolves and athletes push creative boundaries, how can the sport better protect both skaters and artists? Should the ISU implement clearer guidelines, or is it up to individual skaters and their teams to navigate this complex landscape? Let’s spark a conversation—what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Beyond the ice, Glenn’s Olympics have been marked by both triumph and adversity. As an LGBTQ+ rights activist, she’s faced threats following her pre-Olympics comments about the challenges faced by the queer community under the Trump administration. 'It’s been disappointing to receive so much hate for simply advocating for human rights,' she shared, wearing an LGBTQ+ pin during the team medal ceremony. Despite this, Glenn remains focused on her goals, celebrating her team’s gold medal and preparing for the women’s individual competition starting February 17.
'For first-time Olympians like me, the nerves are real,' Glenn reflected. 'But I’m grateful for this experience ahead of the individual event.' As she heads to a training camp outside Milan, Glenn’s story serves as a reminder of the power of resilience—both on and off the ice. What’s your take on her journey? Let us know in the comments!
