US figure skater Amber Glenn resolves copyright issue with Canadian artist

Amber Glenn and Canadian artist Seb McKinnon said they smoothed out copyright concerns after Glenn used his song at the Olympics, and Glenn said she looks forward to collaborating with him.

Amber Glenn said she has smoothed out copyright concerns with Canadian artist Seb McKinnon after using one of his songs in her free skate at the Olympic team event. McKinnon, who releases music as CLANN, posted on X that he was surprised his song "The Return" had been used without permission and later congratulated Glenn on the medal. Skating authorities and athletes have been dealing with music-rights questions since the International Skating Union relaxed music rules in 2014, and several competitors at these Games have faced last-minute program changes because of permission issues. Glenn said the situation was a "hiccup" in the process and that she looks forward to collaborating with McKinnon. She is preparing to continue competing at the Games and will train ahead of the women's short program on Feb. 17. What happened: - Glenn said she and Canadian artist Seb McKinnon cleared up concerns after his song "The Return" was used in her Olympic free skate. - McKinnon posted on X that he had learned his song was used without permission on broadcasts and later congratulated Glenn on her medal, saying he wanted artist rights respected. - Figure skaters are required to obtain copyright permission for music, and the ISU relaxed music rules in 2014, leading to more modern tracks being used and occasional permission problems. - Other skaters at the Milan-Cortina Games faced music issues: Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate sought approval for a medley from "Minions," and Petr Gumennik changed his short program after lacking permission for his original choice. - Glenn said she has performed to "The Return" for two years without prior problems and that resolving the issue made her Olympic moment more special; she also plans to attend a training camp outside Milan before the individual event. Summary: The reported resolution appears to have removed a potential dispute and could open the way for collaboration between the skater and the artist. Glenn will continue at the Games, spending time in a training camp and preparing for the women's short program on Feb. 17.