Amber Glenn, who's competing for Team USA in the Winter Olympics, has lifted the lid on the 'scary amount of threats' she's received after expressing her beliefs prior to the Milano Cortina 2026 games.
The figure skater, who is pansexual, was asked at a press conference prior to the games how she felt about representing the LGBTQIA+ community in the Olympics.
Speaking to press on Wednesday, Glenn addressed the current state of affairs in the US, saying: "It’s been a hard time for the community overall in this administration. It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights.
"And now, especially, it’s not just affecting the queer community, but many other communities. I think that we are able to support each other in a way that we didn’t have to before, and because of that, it’s made us a lot stronger."
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The athlete went on to say she hopes to use her platform at the Winter Olympics to 'encourage people to stay strong in these hard times'.
"I know that a lot of people say, ‘You’re just an athlete, like, stick to your job, shut up about politics,’ but politics affect us all," she added to reporters, before stating it's a topic she's not going to stay silent on.
Glenn concluded: "It is something that I will not just be quiet about because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives. So, of course, there are things that I disagree with, but as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days are ahead of us."
The 26-year-old ended up becoming a gold medallist on Sunday (February 8) after her team won the women's free skating, but her victory was soured by 'threats' she'd received after speaking out about her beliefs.
"When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans, I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice when asked about how I feel," she penned in an Instagram Story on Saturday (February 7).
"I did anticipate this, but I am disappointed by it.
"I couldn't believe the outlandish backlash I received for just supporting people. Of course, I have people supporting me, and I'm not online right now because of it, but I'm gonna keep speaking my truth.
"I'm gonna keep representing what I believe in and what I think all Americans believe in, which is freedom and being able to love and do what you want. So, I just hope we can keep going forward and be positive."
Glenn is not the only Team USA athlete to have spoken about representing Team USA in Italy, after Hunter Hess expressed 'mixed emotions' about representing the US.
Donald Trump was quick to respond to the skier, dubbing him a 'loser'.
Callum Jones