U.S. figure skating pair Emily Chan and Spencer Howe are asking for financial support as they gear up to compete at the 2026 Olympics.
“Hi friends! 🤗 We wanted to extend our gratitude to everyone following our journey and the support and love we’ve received,” Chan, 28, and Howe, 29, wrote in a joint Instagram post published Wednesday, January 21. “It really means so much to us and motivates us everyday. We are home training and super excited to leave for Milan very soon.”
The statement continued, “As we published earlier this year, Spencer and I have a GoFundMe to assist us offset our training expenses. If you would like to contribute, we would greatly appreciate the help in preparing this last week heading to the Olympics!”
Chan and Howe created the campaign in February 2025 before the U.S. Figure Skating organization announced the official team for the upcoming Olympics in Italy.
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“Figure skating has been our passion for as long as we can remember. Skating isn’t just a sport to us — it’s a way to express creativity, discipline, and resilience,” the pair wrote in a description on their GoFundMe page. “We’ve dedicated years to training, performing, and competing, and we’ve been fortunate to represent our club and country at national and international events. Pursuing this sport at an elite level comes with many challenges, and one of the biggest is the financial burden.”
The skaters added, “Coaching expenses, choreography, travel and training all add up, and while we work hard to support ourselves, the costs continue to grow. We’re reaching out for support to help us continue chasing our goals and pushing our limits. Your contributions will go directly toward essential expenses.”
According to Chan and Howe, any donations go toward paying professional coaches, securing private ice time, developing choreography and any off-the-ice training and conditioning.
“Any amount you contribute makes a meaningful difference, and even if you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would be incredibly helpful,” the athletes wrote. “Your support allows us to keep growing as athletes and performers, and we’re beyond grateful for everyone who believes in our journey.”
Chan and Howe were named to the U.S. Olympic roster earlier this month, alongside fellow pairs team Ellie Kim and Danny O’Shea. The American figure skating lineup also includes Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito, Ilia Malinin, Andrew Torgashev, Maxim Naumov, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Emilea Zingas, Vadym Kolesnik, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko.
With just weeks to go before the Olympics, Chan and Howe’s GoFundMe has raised more than $5,000.
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“We wanted to thank you so much for supporting us in this Olympic journey! We made it, and every single one of you helped us get there,” Chan wrote in a separate Wednesday update. “We are leaving in one week, and every bit of assistance helps us. We just wanted to express our gratitude from our hearts. See you all very soon in Milan!”
The pair are making their Olympic debuts at the 2026 Winter Games, which begin February 6.
“I’m truly honored to say Spencer and I have qualified for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics,” Chan gushed via Instagram on January 13. “I’m so grateful to every person who is a part of this journey, on and off the ice, close and from afar. Thank you to everyone for sharing your joys, love and support for the Olympic Games.”
