Plano, Texas native Amber Glenn is hoping to lace up her skates for the Winter Olympics. (Diego Barbieri/Shutterstock).
26-year-old Amber Glenn has her eyes set on the 2026 Winter Olympics. She’s due to compete in qualifying events in St. Louis.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina draw closer (they’re scheduled to begin on February 6), 26-year-old Plano native Amber Glenn is channeling her personal motto as she gears up for her final qualifying event at the US Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis: “Believe and Breathe.” It’s a mantra she printed onto a t-shirt, and one that helps her remain focused as she strives to become the oldest women’s figure skater to participate in the Games.
Yes, you read that correctly. Glenn, at the ripe age of 26, would be “the oldest in 98 years” and the only female skater from the US over 25 years old to compete in the Olympics if she qualifies at her upcoming event. Despite this strange historic milestone she could potentially achieve, Glenn isn’t focused on that—she’s choosing, instead, to just breathe. “In the past, I’d get to competitions and be mid-ice, holding my breath without even realizing it — I’d have to catch myself. Something as simple as breathing matters,” she told NBC DFW.
In addition to her breathing, Glenn is “just keeping the ball rolling, doing my job, and really trying to enjoy the process” leading up to the Olympic qualifier. “It’s bizarre to think how soon it is. But it’s also exhilarating. I know how hard I’ve worked to get here, and knowing I can be in that position has been really comforting,” she said. She’ll debut a new short program, choreographed to “Like a Prayer” by Madonna, during this stretch of competition. It’s something she’s looking forward to because “it’s beautiful and graceful at the beginning — but it’s also fun at the end.”
Glenn credits her amazing support system for helping her prepare for this potential landmark accomplishment, and she has also expressed gratitude for her childhood in Plano for propelling her into the world of figure skating in the first place.
Glenn’s grateful for her Plano upbringing
Amber Glenn’s mother, Cathlene Glenn, was the first person to introduce the Olympic hopeful to figure skating. As Amber tells it, she was never a fan of the Plano heat, so one day, her mom took her to visit a local skating rink at a nearby mall. It took some trial and error before Amber got into the swing of things, but once she did, she knew she wanted to set and pursue specific goals for herself. “Looking back, one thing I can say is I wasn’t always the most graceful or talented or amazing skater, but there was determination,” Amber told PEOPLE. From there, it became a family effort to provide her with the tools and training she would need to succeed.
Her father, Richard Glenn, serves as a police officer in Plano, and he would often work overtime to help cover the costs associated with Amber’s skating. Her mother sewed her costumes initially and eventually got a job at the local rink. Her sister has also been a constant source of support and encouragement. “It’s been a team effort. When I do well, they’re the first people I call, the first people I look for when I’m getting a medal,” Amber shared. And even though she’s moved away from her North Texas neighborhood—she lives in Colorado Springs now for training purposes—the 26-year-old is grateful for all of the love she receives from her hometown.
“I see it online. I see people from my past. The excitement and exhilaration is [sic] more than I’ve ever experienced. I’m so grateful for all the Texans who have supported me. I can’t wait to celebrate with you back home,” Amber said.
She’s set to compete in events scheduled throughout the 2026 US Figure Skating Championships, which run from today, January 7, through January 11. For more information and scheduling, click here.
