On Thursday, February 19, Alysa Liu skated her way into the hearts of Olympic viewers around the world by earning the gold medal in the women’s free skate final. It was a blockbuster win for Liu, who had actually returned to the sport after more than two years of retirement, after the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
“I’m very happy with how I skated,” Liu said, who’s also the U.S. 2025 world champion, said after securing her gold metal, according to a report from NBC News. “[It was an] unbelievable feeling when I was done skating. And when I was skating — hearing the cheers — and I felt so connected with the audience. I want to be out there again.”
Following her victory, Team USA was quick to make an announcement about Liu. She, indeed, made history at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Team USA Announces Exciting Alysa Liu News Following Olympic Gold Medal Win
After the win, Team USA announced on social media that Liu made history for the United States. In their post, they announced that Liu became “the first U.S. women’s figure skating champion since 2002.”
In the post, they also called it a “comeback for the ages,” likely referring to how Liu retired after the 2022 Beijing Olympics and then decided to come back.
Followers were quick comment. “She was so light and fluffy,” one said on the post. “I’m glad she was just having fun. Congrats.”
“Women’s hockey and now Alyssa Liu?? Today’s been a wonderful day,” another wrote, referring to the USA Women’s hockey team getting gold over Canada.
“We can all learn a thing or two from miss Alysa Liu,” one more said. “Her mindset was completely in the right spot. The way she was so free helped her to soar,” another added.
Alysa Liu’s Technical Content Put Her Ahead to Win the Olympic Gold in Milan, Italy
Liu’s technical elements are what made her the winner. “Liu is known for her free spirit and joyful demeanor on the ice, but she also delivered the technical content needed to support her Olympic bid,” notes NBC Olympics’ official website. “With the win, she became the first U.S. women’s figure skater to take gold since Sarah Hughes achieved the feat 2002.”
According to figuring skating research, via NBC News, Liu “was the third U.S. woman to land a triple axel, and the first to land a quad in competition, and she earned 6th in the Beijing Olympics.” Then, at 16, she retired. But, two years later, she came back to the ice. “She began training, and less than a year later, she won the World Championships surprising everyone, including herself,” NBC News adds.
Liu rounded out the competition with a 226.79 total score, a 150.20 free skate score and a 76.59 short program score. That marked her season-best free skate score.
“I think my story is more important than anything to me,” Liu said, according to the Associated Press, “and that’s what I will hold dear, and this journey has been incredible, and my life has just been — I have no complaints.”
“Her story of taking a step back, mental health, I think it really attests to you never know what the journey to success is going to be,” added teammate Amber Glenn, according to the Associated Press, who finished fifth. “I really hope that can reach the skating community, that it’s OK to take time.”
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