Amber Glenn is in hot water after winning Olympic gold on the same day she faced backlash over her comments on politics and LGBTQ+ issues. This win is bittersweet as Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, known for his music under the name CLANN, publicly criticized her for using his song “The Return” in her skate routine without permission.
McKinnon took to social media to express his surprise, questioning if this was a common practice at the Olympics. Music rights in figure skating can be complicated. Artists often have agreements with record labels, and skaters frequently mix different music pieces. Glenn has faced criticism before, especially regarding her outspoken support for LGBTQ+ rights.
Earlier, she mentioned feeling threatened after discussing the struggles faced by the queer community amid challenging political times. She wore an LGBTQ+ pin during the medal ceremony, signifying her commitment to the cause.
Historically, music copyrights in figure skating were not a big deal. Before 2014, the International Skating Union prohibited vocal music, meaning many pieces were public domain. This changed, and artists began demanding compensation when skaters started using modern music. The issue peaked during the 2022 Beijing Olympics when an artist sued skaters for using their cover of “House of the Rising Sun.”
Justin Dillon, director of high performance for U.S. Figure Skating, mentioned that the organization is working to help skaters navigate these copyright issues. However, it’s unclear if they had a role in Glenn’s music approval.
Fans and fellow skaters have backed Glenn. Retired Olympian Meagan Duhamel expressed that being skated to is an honor, highlighting how music can inspire performances. Alysa Liu, also part of the U.S. gold medal team, emphasized that music is essential to their sport, saying, “Without music, we’re not really our sport.”
As this situation unfolds, it raises questions about the intersection of art, performance, and copyright in sports.
For more updates on the Olympics, you can visit the official AP Olympics hub here.
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