«SI’m completely in shock.”this is how the US skater reacted Amber Glenn after receiving a video of encouragement from, none other than, Madonna. The American, in the running for the medal despite a bad fall that cost her the 13th place in the rankingschose to dance to the tune of Like a Prayer by Madonna: an artistic and political choiceunderstood as anthem to freedom of expression and diversity.
Amber Glenn during the women’s single skating short program at Milano Cortina 2026. (Photo by Tang Xinyu/VCG via Getty Images)
In the late 80s when it came out Like a Prayer, the Catholic Church publicly criticized Madonna. Choosing to take it to the track, in the country where the Vatican resides, and how athlete, proud spokesperson for LGBTQIA+ rightsdeeply affected the American pop star: «You are an incredible skater. So strong, so beautiful, so brave.” Madonna said in the video message to Amber Glenn. “I can’t imagine you not winning. So I just want to wish you good luck. Go get that gold”. Madonna’s message turned the spotlight on the music chosen by skaters for the Olympic competitions. All that remains is to ask: what were the best pieces of music in figure skating? Milan-Cortina 2026?
The best music as a tribute to Italian history and art
Many athletes have chosen to tell the story of Italy through their performance: from the epic power ofancient Rome in the music of The Gladiator for the Japanese couple (gold medal artistic couples) Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichiat the Renaissance poetry of French Adam Siao Him Fawhich dedicates the short program to Leonardo da Vinci and the free one a Michelangelo. His choreography is a real dancing tribute to Creation of Adamcomplete with themed costume. The Italian athletes were no exception: Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini they brought to the track Fly (The Flight), Matteo Rizzo he chose Silverlines (orchestral version) by Damiano DavidAnd Sara Conti and Niccolò Macii they moved the audience with Caruso Of Lucio Dalla. Even the Swedes Milla Ruud Reitan and Nikolai Majorov they paid homage to Italian music with A Day For Us Of Nino Rotaa tribute to Romeo and Juliet a few steps from Verona, where the closing ceremony of the Olympics will take place.
The Japanese Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara during the pairs figure skating final in Milano Cortina 2026. (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The epic soundtracks that won us over
In addition to Gladiator of the golden couple, among the best music of figure skating, the performance of Daniel Grassl who built his free program on the film’s soundtrack The Conclavechoreographed by Edoardo De Bernardis: a theatrical and intense performance, capable of evoking the same mystery, solemnity and tension as the film. In the end, Matteo Rizzo he enchanted the audience with Interstellar Of Hans Zimmerin the arrangement ofImperial Orchestra. For the libero in the Team Event, a race in which Italy won a historic bronze medalthe skater transformed the spatial notes of the film into an emotional narrative, where each jump became part of a dancing and cinematic story.
The performance in three acts of Ilia Malinin
Among the best music presented in the Olympic skating competitions there is, of course, a place for the performance of Ilia Malinin. The free program of the American skater it was built as a true story in three acts. The opening with The Ball Of Asaf Avidan it’s one great promise: music that slowly rises, perfect for an entrance that prepares one for glory. Then the climate changes with The Smell of the Sea Of Alan Mayerwhich introduces a more anxious toneAlmost omen of storm: the melody becomes dark, the tension grows and the program enters its own more fragile areathe one in which the emotional control it becomes as much a part of the race as the technique. The ending with Tails Duel Of Power House & Sergiu-Dan Mureșan pushes everything towards one almost tragic dimension: darker rhythms, metallic soundsa dramatic crescendo which turns ice into a emotional stage. In those notes, more than a simple soundtrack, we read the story of a very young talent placed in front of his try harder: stay humaneven when everyone expects an “ice god”.
Ilia Malinin (USA) competes during the men’s single free figure skating competition in Milano Cortina 2026. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
International appeal: Björk, Madonna and 90s pop
Not just Italian classics or epic soundtracks. Among the music of Milan Cortina’s figure skating there is also electronic, funk and pop. The visionary music of Bjork accompanied Evgeniia Lopareva And Geoffrey Brissaud: a real performance underground. Laurence Fournier Beaudry And Guillaume Cizeron (gold medal in ice dancing) have chosen once again Madonna. With Vogue they gave the audience a moment of pure pop elegance. But 90s music has dominated rhythmic dance programs to the max. Spice Girls, Ricky Martin, Backstreet Boys, Michael Jackson And Daft Punk they created a nostalgic and engaging medley. The Assago Forum it was transformed into a real Olympic disco, making the audience dance to the tunes of unforgettable memories.
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