At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano, Cortina, Italy, Alysa Liu gave the world one of the most memorable performances in Olympic history. Earning the gold medal in women’s singles figure skating, she brought the United States back to the top of the Olympic podium for the first time in a while.
Alysa became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating singles since Sarah Hughes in 2002, she is only the eighth woman ever to win an Olympic gold medal for the U.S.
Her Rise
Alysa Liu began skating at the age of five. Coached by her father, Arthur Liu,her early years were made by intense training and dedication, spending hours perfecting jumps and spins.
She showed talent immediately, and by her early teens, she was landing some of the most difficult jumps in women’s figure skating, the triple Axel and quadruple jumps.
FUN FACT:
Alysa Liu’s hair is very interesting as she has brunette and platinum blonde rings, she says, “I just want to be a tree.”
How does she compete so well?
Alysa Liu competes with joy and for the love of the sport instead of focusing on pressure or medals. During the 2026 Winter Olympics, she said she was “having fun the whole time,” and was “calm, happy, and confident.”
Her Return
In 2022, at 16 years old, Alysa Liu announced her retirement from figure skating. She stated that she had achieved her goals and wanted to explore life beyond competition.
She later returned in 2024 as her passion and love for figure skating relit and won gold in 2025 and 2026 Winter Olympics.
Her Legacy
Alysa Liu is an outstanding talent, she has proven what is possible for skaters of her generation.
She is the 2026 Winter Olympics champion in both women’s singles and in the team event, the 2025 World Champion, the 2022 World bronze medalist, the 2025–26 Grand Prix Final champion, a two-time Grand Prix medalist, a four-time Challenger Series champion, and a two-time U.S. national champion.
Alysa Liu’s career was historic. She broke records, and showed that success at the highest levels can come no matter how young you are.
She showed that athletes can define success on their own.
