Alysa Liu Wins Gold In Winter Olympic Free Skate

By Christopher Landa

20 years since the last US women's figure skating medal and 4 years after her own retirement, World Champion Alysa Liu won gold in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Liu is the youngest US champion of all time, winning the national title at age 13. She entered the 2022 Beijing Olympics at age 16 and, after a sixth-place finish, shocked the world by retiring from the sport. Liu cited burnout, a lack of passion, and a desire to experience more of the world as reasons for her retirement. But after two years away from the sport, a spark of adrenaline during a skiing trip would push her back into the world of figure skating, this time on her own terms. Liu would rapidly regain her expertise, winning the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships and qualifying for the 2026 Olympic team.

Liu started the Olympics off with a Gold in the team event with Team USA, clinching a 1-point victory against the silver medalists, Japan. On Feb. 17, Liu would sail through qualifiers with her stellar short program set to Laufey’s “Promise.” The emotional and artistic piece would land her comfortably in third place heading into the free skate finals. 

On Feb. 19, as “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer began to play, Liu would set off into her routine. Featuring a triple-lutz triple loop combination, one of the most difficult combinations of the competition, her routine would go off spectacularly, earning her a score of 150.20. “That’s what I’m f****ing talking about,” Liu shouted into a camera after her skate.

After the performances of second-place Kaori Sakamoto and first-place Ami Nakai, both from Japan, the scores revealed that Liu was the winner. Great sportsmanship was shown from all medalists, with Nakai and Liu embracing in a joyous hug at their success and Sakamoto celebrating as well despite her sadness at ending a legendary career without an Olympic gold. 

Liu has become a cultural force during her time at the Olympics, only bolstered by her gold medal. Her halo-like hairstyle and frenulum “smiley” piercing drew the attention of the masses, along with an Olympic Gala performance to PinkPantheress’ and Zara Larsson's viral song “Stateside.”

With an inspiring tale of resilience and passion, phenomenal skating skills, and a trendy style, Liu has become one of the most popular athletes of the newer generation.