Figure skating-Glenn insists shaky Olympic debut unrelated to social media abuse

MILAN, Feb 8 : American Amber Glenn said she felt devastated after her free skate in the team event at the Milano Cortina Olympics — but insisted her emotions had nothing to do with the wave of hatred she has faced on social media in recent days.

The three-times U.S. champion was third in the free programme in her Olympic debut, bobbling a triple Lutz in the one major mistake in her programme to score 138.62, 10 points behind winner Kaori Sakamoto of Japan.

Anastasiia Gubanova was second with 140.17.

Earlier on Sunday, Glenn had said she was limiting her use of social media after receiving what she described as "a scary amount" of hate and threats.

The hateful comments were in response to remarks she had made encouraging LGBTQ+ people to stay strong during what she called a difficult period for the community in the U.S.

"I was disappointed because I've never had so many people wish me harm before, just for being me and speaking about being decent ... human rights and decency," said Glenn, wearing an LGBTQ+ pin on her U.S. team jacket.

"So that was really disappointing, and I do think it kind of lowered that excitement for this.

"But I don't think it had anything to do with my performance out there today."

Her devastated expression while awaiting her score, however, came from feelings of letting her team down, as Japan drew level with the U.S. following the women's free skate.

"It was guilt. I feel guilty," Glenn said. "My team has done so well and my performance was lacklustre... I made a few too many mistakes."

Glenn had feared she might have cost the Americans their chance at gold.

"I could be the reason that we don't win the gold, and I don't know how I will ever apologise for that," she said. "I wish that I could have kept