Alysa Liu, the 20 year old figure skater from Oakland, California, made history for team USA at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Gold is not foreign for Liu, but this time it was extra special, being the first gold medal for the US in women’s figure skating since the 2002 Olympic games. Along with taking home the first gold in 24 years, Liu was a member of the gold medal winning team event, making the US back to back champions after the victory in the 2022 Olympics. Making history at only 20 years old is an undeniable accomplishment, but her age is not the most shocking part of Liu’s win. Alysa Liu’s gold medals are accompanied by pride, happiness, and a thrilling comeback story.
Early Career
Liu began figure skating at the age of five. By 2019 she was dominating the sport and her US Championship performance was highly anticipated. She took first in 2019, and again in 2020, becoming the youngest ever US figure skating repeat champion at the age of 13. This competition also made Liu the first American woman to land three triple axels (one of the hardest figure skating jumps) in a single program. After placing 3rd at the 2022 World Championships, and 6th at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Liu made the decision to retire at the age of 16. Although her career brought nothing but success, it was mentally draining and Liu stated she was “burnt-out.” Liu’s coach placed immense pressure on her and her strict training regime. She had little to no control over her schedule, programs, or choreography. Along with that, she faced restrictive dieting and lacked a normal childhood. Liu’s desire to experience life outside of the sport, including going to college and traveling the world, was what ultimately led to her decision to retire.
The Comeback
After two years in retirement, traveling, and enrolling at UCLA, Liu made her comeback to figure skating with new coaches and a new mindset. Liu announced her return in 2024, and wasted no time climbing her way back to the top of the figure skating world. In 2025 she won the World Championships, Grand Prix Final, and the World Team Trophy. This year, she was selected to compete in her second Olympic games, Milano Cortina 2026. Her performances there did not disappoint. Liu’s short skating program, set to the song “Promise” by Laufey, scored a 74.90 in the team event, clutching 9 points overall for the US and contributing to the gold medal win. In women’s singles, her short program scored a 76.59 putting her in 3rd after day one. Her free skate was performed to the song “MacArthur Park Suite” by Donna Summer, and scored a career high 150.20 securing the win for Liu.
Lasting Impact
Alysa Liu won the women’s event by almost two whole points, but what made it truly special was her attitude. While waiting for her final scores, Liu said to her coaches “I don’t need a medal. I just need to be here, and I just need to be present. And I need people to see what I do next.” Even after seeing her results, her mindset didn’t change. “I don’t need this [medal]. But what I needed was the stage, and I got that, so I was all good no matter what happened. I mean when I’m enjoying performing it doesn’t matter what happens.” Since the games concluded, Liu has continued to advocate for mental health, body and diet positivity, and above all doing what you love because you love it. Liu has become an inspiration for young women everywhere, and it’s shown through the over 1 million followers she’s amassed since the Olympics. Liu advocated for female involvement in sports as well. She proudly shared a post to her instagram story showing that 17 of the 33 total US 2026 Olympic medals and 8 of the 12 golds were won by female athletes. Liu recently announced that she will not be competing to defend her title in the 2026 ISU World Championships, but she will be back next season with bigger and better developments. At just 20 years old, Alysa Liu has already revolutionized the sport of figure skating. There’s no doubt that whatever comes next from her will be epic and most importantly, as Liu has taught millions, fun.
