MILAN — The pursuit of Olympic figure skating is fundamentally an act of faith – the expectation that each performance will be perfect, that artistic expression and elegance will captivate adjudicators, and that a precise fusion of athletic prowess and sentiment will culminate in an Olympic accolade. However, for the United States, this optimism has not materialized into success since 2006.
This duration marks the interval since an American female competitor secured any Olympic individual figure skating distinction. Sasha Cohen earned a silver medal in 2006, while Sarah Hughes and Michelle Kwan obtained gold and bronze, sequentially, in 2002. Two full decades have passed since American women, formerly preeminent in the sport, last occupied a medal-winning position.
Could the Milan Cortina Games put an end to this questionable dry spell? Certain prominent commentators believe these Olympics might be the occasion for American women to reclaim their supremacy in figure skating.
“I haven’t witnessed a squad of this caliber in many decades,” stated Tara Lipinski, an Olympic gold medalist who transitioned into an NBC analyst, in a recent remark.
This optimism stems from the fact that the group comprising Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito — popularly dubbed the Blade Angels — is heading into Milan Cortina possessing greater impetus and promise than any Olympic delegation in numerous seasons.
“Our team appears genuinely poised for a podium finish,” Lipinski further noted, before elaborating. “A part of me envisions a potential American clean sweep.”
A complete sweep? Securing all three medals? This may seem improbable until one examines the statistics. Each of the three athletes holds a position within the top five of the International Skating Union’s global standings, trailing only Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto (first) and Mone Chiba (second). All three achieved medal status at the intensely contested U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in St. Louis the previous month. Furthermore, they collectively embody American excellence commendably.
“It’s truly remarkable to have a female figure skater representing every region of the nation,” commented Johnny Weir, Lipinski’s co-Olympian and NBC analyst. “Isabeau Levito hails from South Jersey, extending to southside Philadelphia. Amber Glenn originates from Texas, and Alysa Liu is from California, and I find it impressive that these women each bring distinct viewpoints and unique approaches.”
“Provided we execute our routines to the fullest extent of our capabilities, the final result is beyond our influence,” Glenn stated recently. “However, I believe American women have advanced tremendously over the past twenty years, such that if we perform optimally in Milan… it is highly probable that at least one of us will achieve a podium spot.”
Therefore, who precisely comprise the Blade Angels? Discover the United States’ forthcoming formidable figure skating contenders:
Amber Glenn performs during a Making the Team event of the 2026 United States Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center on January 11, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Jamie Squire via Getty Images)
The reigning three-time national champion, Amber Glenn, began her skating journey at a shopping center near Dallas. Her evident early talent prompted her parents to work additional hours to finance her training and search eBay for used ice skates.
Yet, following numerous years in competitive skating, coupled with the inherent demands to excel and conform to restrictive expectations, Glenn chose a different path. She prioritized her psychological well-being above her displays on the ice, and in 2019, she publicly affirmed her identity. Her achievements have only multiplied since that time.
“Her significance to our sport is profound, owing to her candidness and openness regarding her mental health challenges and how she surmounts the uncertainties and stress she encounters,” Lipinski commented.
Glenn was unable to participate in the 2022 Beijing Olympics after receiving a positive COVID test result right before the U.S. championships. Nevertheless, since that point, she has secured three consecutive U.S. national crowns, and her technical skill set is unparalleled.
“She consistently executes triple axels. In numerous aspects of our sport, both technically and artistically, she sets the global standard,” Weir stated. “Her performances are deeply heartfelt, making them immensely engaging for viewers.”
Alysa Liu competes in the team event earlier at the Milan Cortina Olympics. (Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
(Steve Christo – Corbis via Getty Images)
No other Olympic athlete demonstrates such uninhibited delight on the ice, nor possesses a more compelling personal narrative than Liu. A native Californian, she commenced skating at age 5, subsequently becoming the youngest American champion ever in 2019 at thirteen. She was selected for the U.S. Olympic squad in 2022, but like many before her, found the incessant demands of a competitive skating career challenging. In 2023, she completely disengaged from the sport, undertaking a period of self-discovery that included trekking to Mount Everest’s base camp.
Her comeback to the sport occurred in 2024, and since then, her achievements include securing a world championship title and earning a spot on her second Olympic team.
“Her performances and competitive approach are highly authentic and easy to connect with,” Lipinski observed. “She glides through her routines within her unique sphere, free from external pressures, as she truly believes she is pursuing this for her own fulfillment, exercising complete command over her craft.”
Liu, Weir further noted, “has discovered how to fully unwind during competition. … She no longer perceives her existence as being jeopardized when she skates, enabling her to mitigate much of the stress commonly experienced by numerous athletes.”
“I am incredibly enthusiastic,” Liu recently expressed. “Because, as you know, the previous Olympics was the COVID Games and quite distinct. I thoroughly enjoyed that experience, but everyone keeps remarking, ‘Honestly, that doesn’t compare to a true Olympic event.’ So with all this anticipation, you all must deliver an exceptional performance in Milan.”
Isabeau Levito competes in women’s short program during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Jan. 07, 2026. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Isabeau Levito
Levito developed a passion for figure skating, much like numerous other young girls, through observing the Olympic Games. Specifically, at the age of three, she witnessed the 2010 Vancouver Games and subsequently resolved to try skating herself. In a matter of years, she earned a junior championship, and by 2023, she had secured the U.S. national title.
“I describe her as the figure in a snow globe. She embodies the archetypal ballerina transferred to the ice,” Lipinski remarked. “She exudes refinement, poise, and appeal, and possesses an uncompromising pursuit of flawlessness. Beneath the splendor and glitter of her attire lies immense ambition and determination.”
Levito does not display the same extroverted nature as Glenn or the vivaciousness of Liu; instead, she opts for a more refined, controlled approach on the ice, which has consistently led to her securing top-three finishes during her career.
“She is among those skaters who could enumerate on one hand the number of times she has stumbled in a given week, owing to her intense focus and relentless pursuit of flawlessness,” Weir observed.
For Milan Cortina, she will perform to compositions by Sophia Loren, honoring the renowned Italian cinematic icon and acknowledging her personal Italian and Milanese roots.
“Frankly, I am simply bursting with excitement for the Olympic village,” Levito remarked following her bronze medal win at the U.S. championships. “I’ve seen content on TikTok, watched videos, read articles about it, and received direct accounts, but my anticipation for it is immense. I am certain it will be an unforgettable experience.”
“These prominent three athletes exhibit distinct personalities despite participating in the identical discipline,” Weir commented. “This diversity creates considerable enthusiasm for spectators, as it ensures there will be a favorite for every viewer to support.”
“Each of us is a unique artist, and we are all simply performing to our utmost ability, rather than attempting to conform to any predetermined archetype or expectation others might impose upon us,” Glenn stated. “I believe this approach has been instrumental in our resurgence as such an accomplished collective of female figure skaters.”
The women’s short program is scheduled for Tuesday, with the medals to be presented two days thereafter. It will then become evident if aspirations can transform into actual accolades.
