Olympic determine skater Amber Glenn is limiting her time on social media after receiving threats and “a scary quantity of hate” for “merely utilizing my voice” after she was requested about Donald Trump’s therapy of the LGBTQ+ group. Glenn is the primary brazenly queer lady to signify Crew USA in determine skating.
“Once I selected to make the most of one of many wonderful issues about the USA of America (Freedom of speech) to convey how I really feel as an athlete competing for Crew USA in a troubling time for a lot of Individuals I’m now receiving a scary quantity of hate/threats for merely utilizing my voice WHEN ASKED about how I really feel,” Glenn wrote in her Instagram tales Saturday.
“I did anticipate this however I’m disenchanted by it,” she continued. “I can be limiting my time on social media for my very own wellbeing for now however I’ll by no means cease utilizing my voice for what I consider in.”
Glenn additionally addressed criticism from those that consider she ought to simply “keep on with sports activities.”
“I do know that lots of people will say, ‘You’re simply an athlete, keep on with your job and shut up about politics,’ however politics impacts us all,” she added. “It’s one thing that I can’t simply be quiet about, as a result of it’s one thing that impacts us in our on a regular basis lives. So in fact there are issues that I disagree with, however as a group, we’re sturdy and we help one another, and brighter days are forward of us.”
Glenn will not be the one American athlete who has spoken out towards the Trump administration since arriving in Italy for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Video games.
This week Crew USA freestyle skier Hunter Hess admitted he has “blended feelings” about representing the USA amid the continued ICE presence in cities like Minneapolis. “It brings up blended feelings to signify the U.S. proper now I believe,” Hess mentioned. “It’s just a little onerous. There’s clearly quite a bit that I’m not the largest fan of and I believe lots of people aren’t. If it aligns with my ethical values I really feel like I’m representing it – simply because I put on the flag doesn’t imply I signify the whole lot that’s happening within the U.S.”
His fellow skier Chris Lillis additionally mentioned, “I really feel like as a rustic we have to give attention to respecting everyone’s rights and ensuring that we’re treating our residents, in addition to anyone, with love and respect. I hope that when folks have a look at athletes competing within the Olympics they understand that’s the America we’re attempting to signify.”
Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin additionally spoke on the subject this week. Whereas talking to the media she quoted the late Nelson Mandela and mentioned, “Peace is not only the absence of battle. Peace is the creation of an setting the place we will all flourish no matter race, shade, creed, faith, gender, class, caste or some other social markers of distinction.”
Her teammate Svea Irving additionally mentioned, “It’s undoubtedly a tricky time in our nation proper now. I simply proceed to signify my values which is compassion and respect and love for others.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, run from Feb.6 to Feb. 22.
