Olympic Skater Used Musician’s Song Without Permission—Here’s What Happened

MILAN, Italy – The glow of Olympic gold for Amber Glenn has been tempered by a brewing copyright controversy. Just hours after celebrating a team event victory at the February 10, 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the American figure skater is facing questions regarding her use of music in her routine.

Canadian musician Seb McKinnon, who performs under the name CLANN, publicly voiced his concerns on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, stating he discovered Glenn had used his song “The Return” without permission. “So just found out an Olympic figure skater used one of my songs without permission for their routine,” McKinnon posted. “It aired all over the world… What? Is that usual practice for the Olympics?”

Glenn, 26, incorporated “The Return” into her free skate performance as part of the team competition. Despite some uncharacteristic errors in her individual skate, Team USA ultimately secured the gold medal thanks to a strong performance from teammate Ilia Malinin in the men’s free skate, edging out Team Japan.

The situation highlights a complex issue within the figure skating world: navigating music licensing and copyright. Skaters are indeed required to obtain permission for the music they use, but the process is far from simple. Rights ownership can be fragmented, residing with record labels, producers, or the artist themselves. Skaters often compile routines from multiple musical segments, further complicating the process. Companies like ClicknClear attempt to streamline permissions, but the landscape remains nuanced and often murky.

McKinnon clarified in subsequent posts that his agreement with his label grants him sole authority to license his music. He initially questioned whether the Olympic broadcast implied a different type of licensing agreement, akin to radio play, but later expressed understanding after receiving information through X’s Community Notes feature. “Thank you Community Notes! This is news to me,” he wrote. “The deal I have with my label is that I alone can give the ok to license my music. I thought since this was on TV, that it fell under some kind of synching. But it seems to be the same thing as radio? Glad to understand it more.”

Despite the initial shock, McKinnon appeared to extend support to Glenn, adding a heart emoji and writing, “And plus she won Gold??? huge contratz.”

This isn’t the first music rights issue to surface at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. Spanish figure skater Tomás-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté faced a similar hurdle with his routine inspired by the “Despicable Me” franchise, initially being barred from using the music due to copyright concerns. However, he was ultimately cleared to compete after securing the necessary licenses, a resolution he credited to the support he received and the cooperation of Universal Pictures, ClicknClear, and others involved.

Glenn and U.S. Figure Skating have not yet publicly commented on the matter. Representatives for Team USA did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press and Entertainment Weekly.

The situation raises broader questions about the responsibility of athletes and governing bodies to ensure proper music licensing. While McKinnon’s case appears to be unfolding with a degree of understanding, it underscores the potential for legal complications and the importance of respecting artists’ rights. The fact that Glenn had reportedly been using the song for over two years without issue, according to the Associated Press, adds another layer of complexity to the situation, suggesting a possible oversight in the initial licensing process.

The controversy arrives at a sensitive time for Glenn, who has also faced backlash for her comments on politics and the LGBTQ+ community, leading her to step away from social media. The added scrutiny surrounding the music copyright issue further complicates her Olympic experience, casting a shadow over her recent gold medal victory.

As the Games continue, the focus will undoubtedly return to the athletic performances. However, the McKinnon situation serves as a reminder of the intricate legal and logistical challenges that exist behind the scenes, even at the highest level of competition. It also highlights the growing awareness among artists regarding the protection of their intellectual property in the digital age.