Olympic Gold Medalist Amber Glenn to Speak at CU Boulder

An Olympic gold medalist is bringing her powerful story of perseverance to Colorado students this October.

Amber Glenn, who helped Team USA win gold in figure skating at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, will speak at the University of Colorado Boulder on October 28. The public event will focus on her experiences with mental health and resilience as an LGBTQ+ athlete competing at the highest level of sports.

Glenn's path to Olympic glory was anything but typical. The three-time U.S. figure skating champion made her first Olympic appearance in 2026, proving that success doesn't always follow a straight line. Her journey resonates with athletes and non-athletes alike who face challenges while staying true to themselves.

The free event gives students and community members a rare chance to hear directly from an elite athlete about the mental side of competition. Glenn's willingness to discuss both her triumphs and struggles offers a refreshing honesty often missing from traditional sports narratives.

Why This Inspires

Glenn represents a new generation of athletes who refuse to separate their identity from their achievements. By openly discussing her experiences as an LGBTQ+ competitor, she's helping create space for future athletes to bring their whole selves to the ice.

Her timing couldn't be better. As conversations around mental health in sports gain momentum, hearing from champions who've navigated these waters firsthand provides invaluable insight. Glenn's story shows that vulnerability and strength aren't opposites but partners in achieving greatness.

The University of Colorado Boulder's decision to host this event reflects a broader commitment to supporting diverse voices in athletics. Students will benefit from hearing how one athlete balanced the pressure of Olympic competition with the courage to live authentically.

Glenn's Olympic gold medal proves what many already knew: being true to yourself doesn't limit your potential. It unlocks it.