The 2026 Winter Olympics recently ended, leaving a legacy for future Olympians especially in figure skating. Three of the U.S. champions left an even bigger lasting impact including Ilia Malinin, Alysa Liu, and Amber Glenn, also known as the “blade angels.”
In a sport that once pitted young women against each other to fit a singular “ice princess” mold, the “Blade Angels” find their strength in their diversity.
Ilia Malinin, an Olympic gold medalist and self-proclaimed “Quad God” started skating at five. She actually earned her nickname by being able to land many quadruple jumps on the ice. At just 17, she was the first person ever to land the quadruple axel in the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic in 2022.
She later went on to land seven quadruple jumps in one program at the 2025 ISU Grand Prix Final. Ilia’s interesting personality and charm combined with her spectacular abilities had all kinds of people tuning in to see what she would do next. She definitely left her mark on the Winter Olympics and likely inspired the next generation of figure skaters.
Alysa Liu won gold at the Olympics as well, and also broke the internet. Liu started figure skating at a young age, but retired early in 2022 due to burnout. She took a long break from figure skating to focus on her mental health, but she soon realized she missed the ice. In 2024, she started training again and shifted her mindset to one of wanting to skate instead of being forced to skate.
This mindset shift turned out to be a huge success as she won two gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics. She also went viral on social media for her style not typically seen in figure skaters, as well as her unique performances. Her most viral skate was to the song “Stateside” by Pink Pantheress and Zara Larsson, showing her fun and goofy side.
Amber Glenn was another gold medal skater on the 2026 Winter Olympic figure skating team. At 26, Glenn was the oldest American woman to qualify for the Olympic singles team since 1928, and the first openly queer woman to represent the U.S. in figure skating. A winner of three consecutive U.S. National titles, she has been very vocal about mental health challenges of athletes. The impact of her openness in many areas of her life has extended far beyond the ice, as she has become an inspiration for many.
Overall, the three-gold medal blade angels were an inspiring trio that brought the country together this Winter Olympics. Whether they return to the ice together in 2030 or pass the torch to a new generation of figure skaters, they will always have a place in Olympic history by being remembered as the three figure skaters who redefined the sport’s image, focusing on authenticity, resilience, and emotional expression over mere technical perfection.
