U.S. figure skaters touring with Stars on Ice, but still basking in the Olympics glow

SALT LAKE CITY — Some of the best skaters in the world made a stop in Salt Lake City for the Stars on Ice Tour, and while they were more relaxed since their time in Italy during the Olympics, the glow of those monumental achievements was undeniable. For some athletes, it was their first time in Utah. Others said they were familiar with the venue, the Maverik Center, and said they'd been inspired by performances during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

What could possibly follow the Olympics?

What does a world-class athlete do after performing at the Olympics? They keep on skating. "I went straight to touring for the Stars (on Ice) from Prague straight to tour in Japan," said gold medalist Ilia Malinin, "then straight from there to the U.S. and haven't been home in a few months." They keep skating, but Amber Glenn said it's a different kind of skating — a little more relaxed, and fun. "It's completely different. There aren't judges to score it, there aren't certain goals that we're trying to make that are technical. It's about entertainment and having fun," Glenn said. The fun of performing rather than competing wasn't lost on Olympic champion Alysa Liu. "Shows are a little more fun because there are no rules. We have spotlights," Liu said. "We have group numbers, so we get to skate with other athletes. And they have a little more freedom. "I'm doing some spins here," Liu said. "Like the donut spin that I don't do in competition because it wouldn't count for my level." That's not to say that audiences at the Stars on Ice tour don't get to see the Quad God's trademark move. They do, and did.

New audiences

Along with adding elements they couldn't necessarily perform at the Olympics, a tour like Stars on Ice can help an athlete meet a whole new audience. "It's definitely very different. Here, I'm getting to skate for the crowd. It's the performing side of skating that I really love," said Isabeau Levito, a 2026 Olympian. "And for a lot of us, it's been really great to grow our platforms and talk about what people want to online." Stars on Ice is very different than an Olympic competition, but for organizers of the 2034 Winter Olympic Games in Utah, the event puts Utah in a good light and positions Utah for the future. It also provides another opportunity to introduce Utah to new skaters who may, in turn, become Olympic champions themselves. And that'd be nothing new. "I was inspired by Sarah Hughes's 2002 performance, so this is a full circle moment," said Glenn. "I hope I can inspire someone like she inspired me."

Hoping to create healthier environment for skaters

Glenn also hopes her appearance during the Stars on Ice Tour can help cultivate one of her passion projects. "One of the biggest things for me has been cultivating a healthier and safer environment for skaters, and I hope I can do that through 2034," she said. Glenn described some realities that Olympic viewers may remember, brought up by another world-class Olympic Athlete, Simone Biles. "A lot of the time, the cameras, the fanfare, it gets a bit much," Glenn said. "And we saw that get to some of the athletes in Milan. I think we really need to consider athletes' mental health before we get to the whole spectacle of the Olympic Games ... We're not actors, we're not movie stars, we're not performing for cameras. We're performing for judges and the audience and ourselves. So we need to consider people's well-being before TV entertainment." As they perform their signature moves under the spotlights of Stars on Ice, these elite athletes are hoping to catch the eyes of and maybe the hearts of young skaters. "I hope they feel inspired to really get into performing," Levito said. "I would like them to be inspired by the artistic side of my skating." "Honestly, just not being afraid to be different. That's a message I put out to all my viewers and everyone who supports me. 'Don't be afraid to stand out, don't be afraid to be different,'" Malinin added.

If they didn't skate ....

Ever wonder which sport Olympic skaters would compete in, if not ice skating? "I think tennis, but I'm not good at anything but skating," Levito said. "I would say gymnastics," said Glenn. "That's kind of the go-to for figure skaters because it has the same kind of athleticism with a little artistry." Liu said she would have a few options, like "skiing, snowboarding, and tennis. I really love sports." "I would love to ski," said Malinin. "I've done it a little bit, and who knows, maybe I'll ski in 2034."

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