How Olympic Ice Skaters Choose Their Music

Shelbi Baker
8 minutes ago
3 min read

With the 2026 Winter Olympics having concluded on February 22nd , most of us have

been left transfixed with the sheer talent and skill of the world's ice skaters. Team USA’s

three female skaters, Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito, and Amber Glenn (better known as the “Blade Angels”) have captivated the world with their graceful and powerful performances, but how did they choose what music to skate to? Well, today, we’re going to talk about just that. So let’s dive in and discuss the musical process in Olympic ice skating.

Unique Style

The first, and maybe most obvious factor in how Olympic skaters choose their music is

by their own unique style. Each skater has a particular flow, rhythm, and personality, so

their music choice has to best reflect that. For instance, Isabeau Levito skates with a

classic style, leading her to choose music reminiscent of skating legends that came

before her. “Almost in Your Arms” by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston, used in Levito’s

short program, is a song from 1958. She also opted for Gillian Hills’ “Zou Bisou Bisou”

from 1962. These choices mirror Levito’s vintage performance style perfectly, sonically

supporting her and enhancing the artistry of the program.

Meanwhile, other skaters who took to the ice in this year’s games opted for more

modern stylistic choices. Ilia Malinin, for instance, skates with dramatic flair. For his free

skate performance this year, he chose a song called, “The Ball” by Asaf Avidan from

2021. However, he narrated his own poem over the song, title, “A Voice”, reflecting his

own determination and perseverance in his performance. The overall vision of Malinin’s

free skate felt serious, passionate, and driven. No wonder he could land that backflip so

effortlessly.

Athleticism

Choosing music for a skating routine requires more than just artistry. Each skater’s

athleticism plays a large part in the songs they choose. Music comes as a part of the

training process. Skaters most often have their own coaches and choreographers to

help make each program a reality, designing and tuning the routine to the skater’s

greatest strengths. Before choosing a song, the skater and their team have to decide on

a few things. Which jumps are they the most practiced on? How high can they jump?

How much time is needed to gain momentum? Which stunts are going to be performed

early and which are saved for the finale? All of these questions factor into the song

length and overall feel. It’s all about showcasing the skater’s hard work in the most

optimal way.

The Audience

Finally, the last remaining factor in choosing music for Olympic ice skating comes with

the audience (and judges) in mind. While the song choices are most certainly personal

preference for the skater, they also must grab the attention of the audience. We

wouldn’t be so captivated if the music didn’t make sense for the skater’s routine. For

instance, short programs and free skate performances tend to be more traditional,

powerful, and emotional in nature. They’re a showcase of skill, artistry, and competition

in their purest form. Meanwhile, exhibition performances give skaters a unique

opportunity to have fun and be themselves. This year’s exhibition gala included music

from Lady Gaga, Shakira, and Pitbull. Team Korea even used music from the iconic film,

“KPop Demon Hunters”. It’s all about putting on a good show and getting the crowd

hyped up. The audience plays a bigger part than we think.

So, what do you think? Did this year’s Olympic figure skaters dazzle you with their song

choices? Did you have any favorite performances? Feel free to let us know at any of our

socials below.

Written By Shelbi Baker