Alysa Liu made her Olympic debut in 2022 at just 16. Although she was only a teenager, she had already had a long and successful skating career, winning the 2018 U.S. Championships junior division and winning silver in the 2019–20 Junior Grand Prix Final, among many other accolades. Liu was born in Clovis, California, and trained at the Oakland Ice Center. She has proudly referenced the Bay Area throughout her career.
In the spring of 2022, Liu announced her retirement from skating, feeling she had achieved her goals in the sport. Then, two years later, Liu revealed she had returned to the ice, but on her own terms. Liu returned to training with her coaches while studying at UCLA, and placed first in the short program at the 2025 US Championships. The following year, she won silver in the free skate for the 2026 Championships.
Now, at the 2026 Olympics, Liu won gold for her free skate program, making her the first American woman to medal in figure skating at the Olympics in 20 years. Her stunning performance was filled with joy, and as her many fans cheered on her triumphant return to the Olympic stage.
Liu is set to perform at the Olympic Gala with a new program on February 21, and we can’t wait to see her skate again soon.