The Powerful and Personalized Politics of the U.S. Olympic ‘Blade Angels
Few women know what it’s like to compete at Olympic levels. But women across America understand how it feels to be expected to look and act certain ways. On Sunday, Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn both earned gold when Team USA took first place in figure skating’s team event. They call themselves the “Blade Angels.” U.S. Olympians Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito are known across figure skating and, increasingly, among spectators for their technical skill and precision, creativity and camaraderie. Above all, they are known for their authenticity. In a sport still largely defined by traditional, narrow ideas of femininity and…