When it comes to stories that capture the heart of the Winter Olympics, few are as compelling as Alysa Liu’s triumphant return to the ice, her dazzling performances in Milan, and the joyful authenticity she brings to every competition. The 2026 Winter Olympics have seen a flurry of memorable moments, but Liu’s journey—from prodigy to champion, from retirement to gold medalist—stands out as a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the sheer love of skating.
On February 6, 2026, Alysa Liu took to the rink for Team USA in the figure skating team event, delivering a nearly flawless short program under less-than-ideal circumstances. Delayed by JD Vance’s motorcade and arriving with just minutes to spare, Liu didn’t let the chaos shake her composure. Instead, she skated with a freedom and joy that was palpable to everyone watching, earning a second-place finish in her segment and setting the stage for Team USA’s golden run. As the slow-motion replay of her double axel showed a slight wobble, Liu’s genuine smile said it all—this was a skater at peace with herself, performing for the love of the sport rather than the pressure of the podium.
Two days later, on February 8, the combined efforts of Liu and her teammates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito propelled Team USA to the top of the podium. The gold medal was a crowning achievement, marking a new chapter in Liu’s already storied career. For Liu, who previously made history as the youngest U.S. figure skating national champion, it was yet another milestone—one that followed years of breaking barriers and redefining what it means to be a champion, both on and off the ice.
Liu’s road to Milan wasn’t a straightforward one. After bursting onto the scene at age 13 as the youngest women’s figure skater to win the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the youngest female skater to land a triple axel in competition, she competed at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, finishing sixth in the women’s singles event. Just a month later, she captured bronze at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, becoming the first U.S. woman to reach the world podium since 2016. Her accolades also include two Grand Prix medals and four Challenger Series championships, cementing her status as one of America’s brightest skating stars.
Yet, as her childhood friend and fellow skater recalled, the pressures of elite competition and the grind of constant travel took their toll. After the 2022 Olympics, Liu stepped away from the sport, seeking space to rediscover herself beyond the rigid expectations of the figure skating world. She needed a break—a chance to be a teenager, to explore her interests, and to regain ownership of her career. "She realized she missed her sport," her friend wrote, describing how Liu returned to competition in 2024 with a new sense of autonomy. This time, every detail was hers to choose: the music, the costume, even her signature smiley piercing and freshly-bleached halo hair. As her friend put it, "Now she stands on the ice with a sense of authenticity that feels unshakeable."
Liu’s approach has resonated not just with fans, but also with her coaches. Phillip DiGuglielmo, who has worked with Liu on and off for a decade, praised her deep understanding of the sport: "Nobody understands what they’re doing better than Alysa understands what she’s doing. If we’re working on the technique of a jump, it’s, ‘What are you feeling? What am I seeing? Where can we make this look better?’ It’s a collaboration; it would never be me telling her, ‘Do this!’ That would not fly.’" This collaborative spirit and technical mastery have become hallmarks of Liu’s skating, setting her apart from her peers and earning her a spot on the 2019 Time 100 Next list.
Her authenticity shines through in other ways, too. Liu is an unabashed fan of anime, particularly the series Chainsaw Man. She posted an Instagram story before the Olympics opening ceremony, hugging her beloved Pochita plushie—a companion she carried with her throughout the Games’ interview cycle. For many fans, this playful side makes Liu all the more relatable, a champion who isn’t afraid to show what she loves.
The 2025 season was a pivotal one for Liu. In the spring, she traveled to Boston and won the World Figure Skating Championships, showing the same unflappable demeanor that has defined her comeback. A friend who met her for udon before the competition recalled, "I asked if she was nervous. She said not at all. I aspire for that kind of self-assuredness. Not rooted in ego or bravado, but in a genuine lack of pressure. She once told me she only competes because it gives her an excuse to skate every day. It’s the joy of skating that fuels her." That joy was on full display in Milan, where the pressure of Olympic competition seemed to melt away in the face of Liu’s infectious energy.
But even Olympic gold comes with its own surprises. Shortly after the medal ceremony, Liu’s gold medal slipped from its ribbon and hit the floor, leaving it scratched and dented—a fate shared by several athletes this year. In a recent interview, Liu recounted the moment with her trademark humor: "I was just jumping up and down, as one does to celebrate, and it just dropped. It just literally fell off the ribbon. It got very scratched up, well, not very dented, but pretty dented. I actually liked it when it was off the ribbon, but that’s not allowed. I had to give it in. I was like, ‘Can’t you just fix this one?’ I’m attached. But it’s O.K., I’m detached. Just like it was." Milan Cortina’s chief games operations officer, Andrea Francisi, assured the public that damaged medals would be replaced, and Liu received her new gold medal on February 11, 2026.
For Liu, the journey is about more than medals or records. It’s about embracing joy, authenticity, and the freedom to be herself—on and off the ice. Her story is a reminder that even in high-stakes arenas, the most powerful victories are often those of self-expression and resilience. As the Winter Olympics continue in Milan, fans and fellow athletes alike are looking to Alysa Liu as a beacon of what it means to skate—and to live—with heart.
With her gold medal restored and her spirit undimmed, Alysa Liu’s Olympic chapter is far from over. Whether she’s dazzling crowds with her jumps or inspiring the next generation with her authenticity, Liu has already left an indelible mark on the world of figure skating—and the story’s still unfolding.