Navigating Music Rights and Activism: Amber Glenn's Journey at the Olympics
U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn recently resolved copyright concerns with Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, who goes by the name CLANN. McKinnon expressed surprise that his song, “The Return,” was used in Glenn's free skate routine at the Olympics. Skaters must obtain copyright permission for their music, and the process can be complex. Glenn clarified the situation with McKinnon and looks forward to potential collaborations with him.
The issue of music rights in figure skating has become more prominent as skaters incorporate modern music into their routines. The International Skating Union relaxed its regulations in 2014, allowing skaters to use a wider range of music. However, this has led to copyright challenges for some skaters, requiring last-minute changes to their programs.
Spanish skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate and Russian skater Petr Gumennik both faced challenges with obtaining music rights for their routines at the Winter Games. Sabate had to secure approval for his short program music from the film “Minions,” while Gumennik had to change his program due to copyright issues. The ISU is working to help skaters navigate these challenges and avoid copyright problems.
Amber Glenn, a three-time U.S. champion, has also faced backlash for her LGBTQ+ activism. Following comments about the queer community during a press conference, Glenn received threats and expressed disappointment at the negative response. Despite the challenges, Glenn and her teammates celebrated their gold medals in the team event and are preparing for the individual competition.
Glenn's experience at the Olympics has been eventful, from resolving copyright issues with her music to facing backlash for her activism. As she continues to compete and represent the U.S. in figure skating, Glenn remains focused on her performance and the support of her teammates. The challenges she has overcome have only strengthened her resolve to excel in the sport.