Amber Glenn’s Olympic Journey and Challenges
Amber Glenn, the American figure skater who recently clinched Olympic gold during a team event, is facing significant challenges both online and creatively. Just after her victory, Glenn has stepped away from social media following a wave of criticism stemming from her comments on LGBTQ+ rights amidst the contemporary political landscape in the U.S. under Donald Trump.
Music Controversy
Adding to her tumultuous day, Canadian musician Seb McKinnon, known professionally as CLANN, publicly called out Glenn for using his song The Return in her routine without proper authorization. McKinnon expressed his frustration on X, questioning whether it was standard practice for Olympic athletes to use music without permission:
“I just found out an Olympic figure skater used one of my songs without permission for their routine. It aired all over the world… what?”
His comments came shortly after the conclusion of the team event, where Glenn’s performance was showcased worldwide.
The intricacies of music licensing for figure skaters are often complex. While performance rights are essential, determining who holds those rights can be convoluted; often it involves various parties, including record labels and producers. McKinnon emphasized that his agreement with his label allows him to control licensing decisions, suggesting that Glenn’s use of his music may have inadvertently breached copyright laws.
As of now, Glenn has not publicly responded to the music controversy, and inquiries directed at U.S. Figure Skating regarding the matter have gone unanswered.
Advocacy and Backlash
This latest controversy isn’t the first for Glenn at the Milan Cortina Games. The skater has been open about receiving hostile reactions to her statements in support of LGBTQ+ rights. She described her disappointment with the backlash she received, noting:
“I was disappointed because I’ve never had so many people wish me harm before, just for being me and speaking about human rights and decency.”
During her team’s medal ceremony, Glenn visibly wore an LGBTQ+ pin, reinforcing her commitment to advocacy despite the negative feedback.
Copyright Issues in Figure Skating
Historically, copyright concerns were minimal in figure skating due to the International Skating Union’s restrictions on vocal music, but these regulations were relaxed in 2014, paving the way for contemporary artists to seek compensation for their work. Issues of music rights intensified at the 2022 Beijing Olympics when an indie artist took legal action against American skaters for using their rendition of House of the Rising Sun, prompting the ISU to strive for solutions to help skaters navigate copyright hurdles.
Ahead of the Winter Games, Glenn expressed skepticism about the recent surge in copyright claims, wondering why artists could not appreciate the exposure their music received through competitive skating. Encouragingly, many fans and fellow athletes have rallied in support of Glenn, emphasizing the honor it is for musicians when skaters choose to use their works.
Conclusion
As the matter unfolds, and with her impressive win still fresh, Glenn’s future within the sport remains a captivating story amidst the complexities of art, athletics, and advocacy.
AP Olympics
