Ilia Malinin comforts Amber Glenn after women's short program at Olympics

Ilia Malinin said he spoke with Amber Glenn after she struggled in the women's short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and both skaters are returning home as team event gold medalists from Feb. 8.

Ilia Malinin and Amber Glenn both competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics and were teammates on the U.S. squad that won gold in the team event on Feb. 8. On Feb. 17, Glenn had an underwhelming short program that left her visibly upset after she failed to complete a planned jump. Malinin, who had a difficult free skate four days earlier, spoke with Glenn afterward and described the shared experience of coping with setbacks. What we know now: - Ilia Malinin said he told Amber Glenn that setbacks are part of the sport and that athletes must move on and try again. - Amber Glenn did not complete a planned jump in the women's short program, which lowered her score and led her to leave the ice in tears. - Malinin experienced a similar disappointment in the men's free skate earlier in the Games and said he received support from teammates and others in the Olympic village. - Glenn is scheduled to skate her free program on the final night of the women's competition. Summary: Both skaters remain team event gold medalists from Feb. 8, and Malinin described offering words of support to Glenn after her short program. Glenn's free skate is the next scheduled competition appearance.