This article leads with Glenn's political statements and sexual identity rather than her athletic performance or the technical details of her error, using loaded descriptors ('woke bitch,' 'Self-Described') as the primary framing device. It cites a partisan outlet's characterization of Glenn as further context, effectively turning a sports story into a political commentary. The zero-point rule and competitive context are almost entirely absent.
Loaded LanguageNarrative FramingSelective OmissionContext StrippingSource Selection Bias
“Amber Glenn, the Team USA skater who decried the plight of America's LGBT community under the Trump administration and described herself as a 'woke bitch,' finished a disappointing 13th”
“As Breitbart's Warner Todd Huston reports, 'Glenn got herself in trouble with many fans after she claimed that the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. was having a hard time'”
This article leads with Liu's Olympic positioning but pivots to a geopolitical espionage story about Chinese government surveillance of her family before Beijing 2022 — content that, while factually based, is tangentially related to the current competition. The opening reference to a political commentator criticizing an athlete for representing China signals a partisan framing context before the article even begins. The piece prioritizes dramatic espionage narrative over Liu's athletic achievements.
Narrative FramingLoaded LanguageContext StrippingAppeal to Emotion
“American figure skater Alyssa Liu is America's last hope at winning a gold medal in an individual figure skating event”
“They are probably just trying to intimidate us, to ... in a way threaten us not to say anything, to cause trouble to them and say anything political”
This article is framed almost entirely around Glenn's social media response to her poor performance, centering emotional resilience over athletic analysis. It references a vague 'controversy' around event scoring without explaining the ISU zero-point rule, leaving readers with an impression of unfairness that the facts don't fully support.
Loaded LanguageContext StrippingAppeal to Emotion
“Controversy erupted on social media with some questioning the scoring of the event”
“Glenn, however, appears to be taking the heartbreaking performance in stride.”
This analytical essay provides genuine depth on the competitive field including the nuanced situation of Petrosian as an Individual Neutral Athlete and Japan's historic potential. However, the author injects personal editorial opinions about Petrosian's coach, Michael Jackson, and artistic merit that go beyond sports analysis into personal commentary. The tone is engaging but editorially opinionated.
Loaded LanguageNarrative FramingAppeal to Emotion
“cameras cut to her stalking the bowels of the arena, like an It Follows creature haunting all of us who like our figure skating ethical”
“Adeliya, I want to give you a fair shot here, but you make it so hard!”
This profile of Alysa Liu is largely factual and well-reported, with strong direct quotes. However, it leans into a 'comeback hero' narrative arc and uses framing like 'Blade Angel' and 'drought' that, while common, subtly center American stakes over the broader competition context. The Japanese skaters leading the event receive minimal treatment.
Narrative FramingSelective Omission
“Alysa Liu will try to end a 24-year drought for American women in Olympic figure skating on Thursday night”
“The youngest figure skater ever to win the U.S. championship...Liu seemed destined for stardom.”
Strong narrative reporting that captures the human drama of the night with well-observed scene-setting details. Liu's emotional state and Glenn's distress are rendered with journalistic specificity. The piece is U.S.-centric but accurately conveys the evening's results. Minor loaded language around 'crushing' and 'certain gold medal' for Malinin.
Narrative FramingAppeal to Emotion
“No sporting event can eat athletes alive quite like the Olympics.”
“she inexplicably stepped out of a triple loop, earning no points and ending her Olympic dream.”
This preview-style article takes a genuinely global perspective, centering Japan's historic podium sweep possibility and contextualizing the age rule change. It provides broader competitive context than most U.S.-centric articles. Minor narrative framing around 'drama' and 'firecracker' language is the only notable editorial touch.
Narrative Framing
“It throws a firecracker into what was already one of the most fascinating competitions at Milan-Cortina 2026”
“A podium sweep is possible.”
This report provides good competitive balance, centering Nakai's performance as the headline story while accurately covering all major competitors including Petrosian's situation as an Individual Neutral Athlete. Liu, Glenn, and Levito receive proportionate coverage. Minor U.S.-centric framing in the headline and lede but the body corrects for this effectively.
Collective Narrative Alignment
“There has never been a clean podium sweep in Olympic women's figure skating, but Nakai, Sakamoto and Chiba will fancy their chances at making history”
“I don't know what happened. I had it.”
Straightforward reporting on Glenn's short program result with useful technical detail about the scoring breakdown. Provides helpful context on the zero-point rule outcome numerically. Brief mentions of broader Team USA results add appropriate context without sensationalizing.
Appeal to Emotion
“She received zero points for an invalid element in the technical elements scoring, bringing that score to 34.19.”
“Glenn had tears in her eyes when she reached coach Damon Allen off the ice, telling him, 'I had it.'”
This day-11 recap covers the figure skating results accurately alongside other Olympic events, providing a balanced multi-sport summary. Figure skating coverage is proportionate and factual. The 'need a miracle' framing for Glenn and Levito, while pointed, is mathematically defensible given the standings.
Loaded Language
“Liu was divine in the women's figure skating short program Tuesday, but her 'Blade Angels' teammates might need a miracle to reach the podium”
“bailed on one of the easiest jumps of her routine”
This is the most technically detailed explanation of the zero-point rule of any article in this set, providing genuine educational value. It accurately explains the ISU rules, the history of the judging system, and notes that a Canadian skater was eliminated by the same rule — context almost entirely absent elsewhere. Framing is largely neutral with minor emotional language.
Loaded Language
“Just like that, Glenn lost over seven points: a devastating blow.”
“The rule has been in effect for over 50 years, and the zero-point system became more visible and mathematically devastating in 2004 with the implementation of the International Judging System (IJS).”
This feature about Madonna's video message to Glenn is a human-interest piece that accurately reports a genuine and notable pre-competition event. It also provides useful context about the music rights issues affecting figure skaters at these Games. Framing is warm but factual, and the piece does not overstate the story's significance.
“I can't imagine that you would not win. So I just want to say good luck. Go get that gold.”
“Glenn ended up getting the best of both worlds.”
Clean, factual reporting that appropriately centers Nakai's performance as the primary story. Provides Sakamoto's context as a multiple world champion and accurately covers Liu and Glenn's results. Direct quotes from Nakai are well-chosen and illuminating. Minimal framing beyond factual description.
“I feel like I should be enjoying this Olympics”
“Before the music started, I was calm and was my usual self.”
Primarily a practical scheduling guide for viewers with accurate logistical information. The framing around the U.S.-Canada hockey rivalry and Liu's medal chances is contextually appropriate for an American audience. Neutral and factual in tone with minimal editorializing.
“Alysa Liu has the Americans' best chance at winning a medal -- and thus ending a 20-year Olympics medal drought -- after finishing third in Tuesday's short program.”
“This is the fifth consecutive Olympics that the U.S. and Canada have met in the gold-medal game”
This feature article focuses on designer Lisa McKinnon's craft and background, providing genuine human interest context. It is largely factual, well-sourced from direct quotes, and does not editorialize about the competition results it mentions in passing. Framing is neutral and descriptive.
“McKinnon has become the must-have name in figure skating couture, dressing the entirety of the U.S. and South Korea women's teams.”
“Each crystal is hand affixed with E6000 glue.”
This report effectively centers the Japanese skaters' perspectives with strong direct quotes from Nakai, Sakamoto, and Chiba. It provides genuine international context absent from most U.S.-focused coverage and accurately captures the competitive standings. Neutral framing throughout with no notable editorial spin.
“I'm not here at this Olympics with the goal of achieving a high result, I'm really looking forward to enjoying this Olympics as much as I can”
“There's no way I stand a chance against Kaori right now. I'm just enjoying these Olympics and trying my best.”
This is a brief summary/recap article with minimal framing. It accurately conveys the key results without editorializing. The brevity means context is necessarily limited but what is stated is factual and neutral.
“Alysa Liu finished in third ahead of Thursday's free skate event.”
“Americans added two silver medals to their count Tuesday -- in big air and the men's team speedskating final.”
