OLYMPICS: Figure skating-Liu shines while Glenn suffers heartbreak in Milan

MILAN – Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn had sharply different outcomes in the women’s short program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. Liu skated confidently into medal contention, while Glenn was reduced to tears after a costly mistake.

Liu, the reigning world champion, delivered a graceful performance to “This Is How It Feels”, earning 76.59 points and placing third.

Glenn, a three-time U.S. champion, began with a soaring triple Axel—one of only two landed by the 29-skater field—but doubled a required triple loop, receiving zero points for the element and dropping to 13th with 67.39 points. Fellow American Ilia Malinin, who had suffered a disappointing eighth-place finish in the men’s event, stood to applaud Glenn, who immediately broke down after completing her routine. Glenn did not speak to reporters after her performance.

Liu credited her strong showing to the support of family and friends. “A ton of my family is out there, and I saw them on the warm-up. I also saw them during my program,” she said. “It was a really cool moment because they never come to watch like this. I felt super grounded, and I connected with my program on another level compared to the rest of the season.”

After debuting at the 2022 Olympics at age 16 and briefly retiring from skating, Liu returned two years later and stunned the world by winning gold at the World Championships in Boston—the first American woman to claim the title since Kimmie Meissner in 2006.

Earlier in the Games, Liu and Glenn helped the U.S. win gold in the team event. When asked about her chances in women’s singles, Liu said, “A medal? I don’t need a medal. I just need to be here and be present, and I need people to see what I do next.”

Glenn’s heartbreaking skate followed an encouraging start to the competition, including a supportive message from Madonna, whose song “Like a Prayer” served as Glenn’s short program music. “You are an incredible skater, so strong, so beautiful, so brave,” the pop icon said in a video message. “I can’t imagine that you would not win, so I just want to say good luck. Go get that gold.”

The third American of the trio, Isabeau Levito—part of the U.S. group known as the “Blade Angels”—finished eighth. -Reporting by Lori Ewing; additional reporting by Valentina Za; editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters