Amber Glenn Discusses Mental Health After 2026 Olympics

The 26-year-old three-time U.S. champion said the experience taught her the importance of mental health in high-pressure environments. The first-time Olympian compared the Olympic village to a college dorm where every participant pursued Olympic glory.

She said the setting was intense but incredible, and that athletes often face the question of what comes next after reaching the Games. Glenn helped the United States win gold in the team competition. A mistake in the individual short program ended her chances of an individual medal.

She landed three triple axels during the Olympic campaign, becoming the first American woman to do so in a single Games. "I can’t even describe how devastating [the short program mistake] was," Glenn said. She noted that while she had rarely struggled with the physical demands of skating, the mental side had been a challenge throughout her 20-year career.

After the short program error, Glenn delivered her best ISU free skate score of the season in the final program. That performance allowed her to climb eight spots in the standings. She described the skate as a true Olympic moment supported by the crowd.

Months after the Olympics, Glenn won a bronze medal at the world championships in Prague. The medal came after she redeemed her short program performance from Milan.

Glenn faced online harassment that began before the Olympics and continued afterward. The messages intensified after her performances in the team event and women's short program. Her social media following grew by 39 percent during the Games, according to Sportico.