Alysa Liu delivered one of the most electrifying performances of the 2026 Winter Olympics, capturing the gold medal in women’s figure skating and ending a 24‑year drought for the United States in the event. Her victory at the Milan–Cortina Games marks a defining moment in her already remarkable career and cements her status as one of the sport’s most compelling comeback stories.
A Comeback Years in the Making
Liu’s path to Olympic gold was anything but linear. After competing at the 2022 Beijing Games, she briefly retired from the sport, stepping away to rediscover her love for skating. Her return in 2025 was nothing short of spectacular: she won the World Figure Skating Championships and re‑established herself as a top contender heading into Milan.
A Stunning Free Skate Seals the Victory
Entering the free skate in third place, Liu needed a near‑perfect performance to overtake Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai. She delivered exactly that.
Skating to “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer, Liu combined technical mastery with expressive artistry, earning 150.20 points in the free skate and a total score of 226.79—enough to surpass both Japanese skaters and claim the top of the podium. Her routine showcased the maturity and confidence she has developed since her return. As she later explained, she felt “calm, happy, and confident” throughout the performance, embracing the moment rather than fearing it.
Breaking a Long U.S. Medal Drought
Liu’s gold is the first U.S. women’s figure skating Olympic title since Sarah Hughes in 2002, and the first American medal of any color in the event since Sasha Cohen’s silver in 2006. Her win also adds to her growing Olympic legacy: she leaves Milan with two gold medals, having also contributed to Team USA’s victory in the team event.
A Night of High Drama on the Ice
The competition itself was fiercely contested:
Kaori Sakamoto delivered a graceful, emotionally rich free skate but made small jump errors that cost her the gold, earning silver.
Ami Nakai, just 17, impressed with her composure and technical strength, securing bronze in her Olympic debut.
Amber Glenn of the U.S. staged a remarkable comeback from 13th place after the short program to finish fifth overall, earning praise from Liu herself.
Alysa Liu’s Legacy Continues to Grow
Liu’s victory is more than a medal—it’s a testament to resilience, reinvention, and joy. Once a prodigy who became the youngest U.S. national champion at 13, she has evolved into a skater who competes on her own terms, prioritizing artistry and emotional connection as much as technical difficulty. Her gold‑medal performance in Milan not only rewrites the record books but also redefines what a comeback can look like in elite sport.
