Texan Amber Glenn: A rising star in U.S. Figure Skating

Photo credit: U.S. Figure Skating Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (January 2, 2026) Amber Glenn has become one of the most exciting U.S. figure skaters today. Born on October 28, 1999, in Plano, Texas and training with the Dallas Figure Skating Club, she started skating when she was just five years old. Now 26, she has worked hard for years and is finally getting huge wins on the ice.

Glenn is a two-time U.S. national champion, winning in 2024 and 2025. She also made history by winning the 2024-25 Grand Prix Final, the first American woman to win it in nearly 15 years,

One reason fans love Amber is that she can land very hard jumps. She is one of the few women in the world to land a clean Triple Axel in big competition.

At the 2025 World Championships, Glenn skated strong and finished fifth overall; her best result at that event. Her performances helped the U.S. earn three spots for women at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

She, along with other skaters will compete in the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure skating  Championships on January 4-11, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri.  The U.S. Championships also will serve as the final qualifying event prior to the selection of the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team that will represent Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina. 

Sapporo, Japan expresses interest to host 2030 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games

By Chris Price

Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

TOKYO, JAPAN (December 26, 2019)  Sapporo, Japan is set to enter the race to host the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games after expressing an interest in hosting the Games a second time. Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1972. Read more here.

USABS statement regarding BCS's release of Kaillie Humphries

Photo courtesy of
International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation

LAKE PLACID, NEW YORK (September 28, 2019) It was announced today that Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) released Kaillie Humphries (shown right), making her eligible to compete for a spot on the USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS) team.

Please find a statement from USABS Chairman Emeritus and Interim CEO John Rosen below:

"Today, USA Bobsled/Skeleton learned of the decision by Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton to release Kaillie Humphries. With this release, Kaillie is now eligible to become a member of USABS and compete on equal standing with our athletes for a position on the USA National Team. USABS is honored by her desire to continue her sliding career with the USA.  USABS recognizes this was not an easy decision for BCS. We believe, however, that ultimately they made the correct decision to honor the desires of this athlete over the interests of the federation. USABS has, on multiple occasions, faced similar decisions in dealing with athletes who have requested release from our program.  In each and every case we reached the same conclusion as BCS did with Kaillie. We wish Kaillie, and BCS, continued success in the finest traditions of Olympic sport."

First Olympic Winter Games begins 95 years ago today

Photo courtsey of imgur.com (dQw4w9WgXcQ)

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (January 25, 2019) Today, January 25, is the 95th anniversary of the first Olympic Winter Games, held in Chamonix, France, from January 25 to February 5, 1924. Two hundred, fifty-four athelets from 16 countries competed in six sports, consisting of 16 events.

The United States brought home four medals, including the first medal awarded in Winter Olympic Games history. Charles Jewtraw, from Clinton County, New York, bested thirty other skaters to win the gold medal in the men's 500-meter speedskating. His time of 44.0 seconds also established an Olympic record. 

Beatrix Loughran (Mount Vernon, New York) took silver in ladies figue skating. She also took the bronze medal in the event in 1928 ans another silve in pairs in 1932. The United States also took silver in men's ice hockey, while Anders Haugen earned bronze in the ski jumping. Thorleif Haug was awarded third place at the event's conclusion, but a clerical error in calculating Haug's score was discovered in 1974 by Jacob Vaage, who further determined  Haugen of the United States, who had finished fourth, had actually scored 0.095 points more than Haug. The International Olympic Committee verified this, and in Oslo in September 1974, Haug's daughter presented the medal to the 86-year-old Haugen.

North Korea may compete in Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved
Video courtesy YouTube.com

PASADENA-DEER PARK, TEXAS (January 1, 2018) News reports out of Pyongyang indicate that North Korea leader Kim Jong-un is open to the idea of his country's athletes competing in the upcoming Winter Olympics. Pairs skaters Ryom Tae-Ok and Kim Ju-Sik are the only North Korean athletes that have qualified for Pyeongchang 2018. The pair is the bronze medalists from the 2017 Asian Winter Games.

Kim stated during his 30-minute New Year's Day address, as quoted by the Associated Press:

"The Winter Olympic Games that will be held soon in the South will be a good opportunity to display the status of the Korean nation and we sincerely wish that the event will be held with good results,"

North Korea missed last month's deadline to accept their spot, however they could still be allowed to participate. It also remains possible that other North Korea winter sports competitors could be given wildcards entries to the Games. 

2010 Winter Olympics: USA-1 Bobsled Wins Gold Medal, Respect

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (February 27, 2010) Tonight, while sitting in the comfortable confines of my home outside Houston, TX, I was fortunate to observe the gold medal performance of the USA 4-man bobsled team, aptly named "Night Train."

NBC broadcast the medal ceremony for the four-man bobsled and showed the four athletes, pilot Steven Holcomb, and pushers Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler and Curt Tomasevicz, receiving their medals.

They were all dressed alike, in their multi-colored USA team jackets, and when the national anthem was announced, they promptly placed their hands over their hearts and showed the proper respect for their country, their performance, their sport, and the Olympic ideal.

It was a proud moment for everyone. The United States had not won a gold medal in the four-man bobsled since the 1948 Winter Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

As the national anthem was played, the camera focused on Holcomb. He stood tall and proud, showing how humbled he was of their achievement. Viewers could see his lip quivering, fighting to hold back the tears of joy that he and teammates were feeling.

When the camera pulled back, everyone could see the pride and power of this simple yet moving scene; four men who had done something that had not occurred in 62 years.

They had won the Olympic gold medal in the four-man bobsled for the United States. They were proud and emotional and did not care who knew it. The showed the valves, respect and positive demeanors that their fellow citizens want to see in their athletes.

Many of our Olympic athletes should observe and that heed their example. This is the type of behavior and pride we expect to see from our Olympic athletes.

We do not want to see our medal winners waving to the fans during the national anthem.

We do not want to see our medal winners playing air guitars during the national anthem.

We do not want to see medal winners bringing disrespect to our country.

We do not want our athletes wearing their medals like a belt; allowing girls to kiss it.

We want; NO, WE DEMAND; they act like the four men from USA 1; proud, humble, and not afraid to show the emotions which brings a positive light to themselves, their sport and our country.

Kudos ho out to the four athletes of "Night Train." Your performance and your demeanor at the award ceremony make us very proud of you. We, as I know you are, are proud to be Americans.

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2010 Winter Olympics: Amy Williams Wins Gold; Shows Proper Respect

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (February 20, 2010) When an athlete achieves the pinnacle of sporting achievement, an Olympic gold medal, they are awarded their medal on the victory platform, followed by the playing of their country’s nation anthem.

On Saturday, British athlete Amy Williams won the women’s skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Center outside Vancouver, Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Williams stunned the crowd, winning the gold medal over the heavily favored Germans, with a four-run total of 3 minutes, 35.64 seconds.

When the medal ceremony was televised, Williams received her medal and stood at attention while “God Save The Queen” was played. She sang along with the anthem and showed the proper and formal decorum that such a ceremony demands.

It was refreshing to see an athlete show the proper demeanor while she and her country were being recognized and honored.

A quick review of other gold medalists at the Games was in stark contrast to Williams’ decorum.

Take Shaun White’s behavior during the playing of the national anthem of the United States for his victory in the halfpipe. While standing on the podium, White’s hand and arm were holding a bouquet of flowers in front of his body, which I could consider an attempt to place his and over his heart.

Vancouver 2010: Daily Host Video-Day 9

Scotty Lago Leaves Vancouver Over Racy Photos

VANCOUVER, CANADA (February 20, 2010) USA snowboarder and Olympic bronze medalist Scotty Lago has left the Winter Olympics after a racy photo surfaced of him inviting girls to kiss his bronze medal while it hung around his waist.

Lago left Vancouver voluntarily after publication of a photo of him wearing his Olympic medal around his waist and the hardware hung over his groin area on a public street.

A second shot showed a woman biting the medal, but this time Lago held it up by the logo on his Team USA T-shirt.

Reports say his "voluntary" departure was prompted by an ultimatum from the U.S. Olympic Committee: say you're sorry and go or we kick you out.

In response,, Lago apologized to the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSSA) and packed his bags for home.

USSSA President and CEO Bill Marolt was quoted in saying:

"Scotty Lago is a great athlete, but with that talent comes a responsibility of proper conduct, and his involvement in this situation is not acceptable. With that said, Scotty realizes that his conduct was inappropriate. He has formally apologized and also made a decision to leave Vancouver today."

The culture of snowboarding may accept Lago’s behavior as acceptable, but many, including myself, do not.

Athletes sign a Code of Conduct when they are selected to the Olympic Team. It document is very clear and concise about what behavior is expected and how the athletes are to act at all times.

If they have a problem with what is expected of them, then they should give up their spot on the team to another athlete who is willing to act with decorum and respect while representing the United States.

After all, competing in the Olympics and possibly winning a medal should be enough of an incentive to act appropriately.

Some of our Olympians may have forgotten than fact.

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Lindsay Jacobellis Blows It...AGAIN!!!

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (February 16, 2010) Four years ago in this forum, I posted a story on how Lindsay Jacobellis "Hot Dogged" her way out of a gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.

You can read the "post from the past" by clicking here.

Well it seems Ms. Jacobellis could not get the job done....again.

And once again, she has no one to blame but herself.

Looking to redeem herself after giving away a victory four years ago, Jacobellis' return trip to the Olympics was even worse.

Early in her semifinal race on the snowboard cross course Tuesday, she lost her balance on a jump, wobbled and skittered to try to regain her balance, but clipped the outside of a gate.

The result: DISQUALIFIED!!!

I stated this fact four years ago and I still hold it to be true today.

"If you have not noticed in the past 10 years or so, the IOC has been adding new sports and some of them, IMHO, are attempts to gain new viewers and money to the Olympic movement.

Snowboarding was one of these sports. Does the Olympic movement need the influx of this type of sport when “HOT-DOGGING” is the norm? That is a question that some are asking.

What happened to the days went it was an honor to represent your country in the Olympics. If I had been that young ladies coach, I would have certainly said something to her about her performance and attitude in that race.

Give me the days when the USA and the USSR battled in the Olympics. Could you see any Olympian today refusing their medal like the 1972 USA basketball team did? Very few, I think...Most are only concerned with their own performance and what the Olympic Games CAN DO FOR THEM!!!!!"

Well, this humble writer will get off the stage and stop the commentary AFTER THIS ONE LAST THOUGHT

Jacobellis blew it. AGAIN! She could not get the job done. Give me the good old days of the traditional sports in the Winter Olympics and leave these HOT DOG sports to the X-Games.

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