Amber Glenn Resolves Olympic Music Rights Dispute with Canadian Artist
US figure skater Amber Glenn has successfully resolved copyright concerns with Canadian recording artist Seb McKinnon, following a brief dispute over music usage during her Olympic free skate program. The incident occurred after Glenn performed to McKinnon's track The Return during the Winter Olympics team event, where she celebrated winning a gold medal.
Misunderstanding Cleared Up Quickly
McKinnon, who releases music under the name CLANN, initially expressed surprise on social media about whether the music had been properly cleared for Olympic use. However, both parties have since described the episode as a misunderstanding rather than a conflict. McKinnon later congratulated Glenn on her team gold medal achievement.
"The issue of music rights can be complex and confusing, and it seems like there was a hiccup somewhere in that process," Glenn stated. "I'm glad we were able to clear things up and I'm excited about the possibility of collaborating with Seb moving forward."
Broader Trend in Figure Skating
This incident reflects a growing trend across figure skating, where athletes increasingly face last-minute licensing complications as the sport shifts toward contemporary music. Spanish skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté experienced a similar situation last week when music from the Minions franchise used in his short program initially lacked clearance for Olympic competition.
After public support from fans and direct outreach, Universal Studios ultimately granted permission, allowing him to maintain a routine developed over months of competition. Officials attribute these challenges to structural gaps in the music industry, where rights are often split across multiple holders and platforms, complicating clearance processes for global broadcast and streaming markets.
Glenn's Olympic Journey Beyond the Ice
For Glenn, the copyright episode has unfolded during an Olympics where she has also become an unexpected focal point off the ice. The three-time US champion has spoken openly about LGBTQ+ rights and revealed she stepped back from social media after receiving what she described as a "scary amount" of hate messages and threats.
These followed pre-Games comments about pressures facing queer communities in the current US political climate. While calling the backlash "disappointing," Glenn continues skating with visible LGBTQ+ symbols on her team gear and views her platform as part of the responsibility that comes with Olympic visibility.
Looking Ahead to Women's Singles Competition
Glenn has performed to The Return for approximately two seasons without prior objections. It remains unclear where the breakdown in clearance occurred, though skaters typically rely on federations, event organizers, and clearance processes recommended by the sport's governing bodies to secure permissions.
The skater is scheduled to compete next in the women's singles event, beginning with the short program on 17 February. Glenn emphasized that her focus remains on performance rather than controversy as she prepares for this next Olympic challenge.
