When Nathan Chen’s phone buzzed after his triumphant free skate at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the message he received was more than just a congratulations. It was an invitation into a very exclusive club: the OGM chain, short for “Only Gold Medalists.” This text thread connects every living American figure skater who has won Olympic gold.
From 90-year-old Tenley Albright to the newest additions, the OGM chain isn’t just a digital roll call. It’s a living history of American figure skating, threaded with stories of glory, resilience, and unity. Brian Boitano, the 1988 men’s Olympic champion, likens it to realizing you’re in a room full of legends and suddenly realizing—you’re one of them.
The legacy runs deep. The United States earned its first figure skating medal, a bronze, at the 1920 Antwerp Games. Dick Button elevated that to gold in 1948 and defended it in 1952, laying the foundation for generations to follow. Button, who passed away at 95, remains the only U.S. Olympic figure skating gold medalist no longer with us.
This past Sunday, the chain grew again. With Ilia Malinin anchoring Team USA in a nail-biting win over Japan, the team defended its Olympic gold in the team event by just one point. Alongside Malinin, Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, Ellie Kam, and Danny O’Shea all earned their place in the club. Ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates were already members from their 2022 triumph.
But this isn’t just a victory lap thread. When tragedy struck, as it did with a devastating plane crash that claimed many from the figure skating community, the OGM chain became a lifeline. Members consoled one another, exchanged updates, and rallied support. That unity materialized in “Legacy on Ice,” a benefit event where the skating family honored those lost.
Carol Heiss, 86, and part of a rare Olympic power couple with husband Hayes Allen Jenkins, emphasizes the emotional significance of the group. They don’t just reminisce; they advocate, reflect, and share the perspective only gold medalists know. Dorothy Hamill put it simply: a few minutes on the ice, a few more on the podium—and life is never the same.
This gold medalist circle isn’t merely a tribute to past glory. It’s an ongoing testament to shared excellence, collective memory, and the powerful bond of skating for country and history.