SUMMARY
- Alysa Liu wins Olympic figure skating gold, first US woman champion since 2002
- Victory follows her retirement at 16 after the Beijing Games and return in 2024
- Podium signals generational shift in women’s Olympic figure skating
MILAN, Italy — Alysa Liu captured Olympic figure skating gold Thursday night, becoming the first American woman in more than two decades to win the sport’s most prestigious title, capping a comeback that began after a brief retirement from competition.
Skating to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite” in a shimmering gold dress at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, the 20 year old delivered a free skate that lifted her from third place after the short program to the top of the leaderboard.
She held that position through the final performances to secure the Olympic figure skating gold medal. Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto earned silver, while compatriot Ami Nakai claimed bronze.
Liu entered the free skate trailing but produced a technically secure and expressive program that drew a standing ovation. Her score placed her ahead with two skaters remaining. Neither surpassed her total.
Her victory marks the first Olympic figure skating gold for a US woman since Sarah Hughes in 2002, ending a 24 year drought for American women in the event.
Liu retired at age 16 following a sixth place finish at the Beijing Olympics. She returned to elite competition in 2024, citing renewed enjoyment rather than competitive pressure as her motivation.
Her comeback coincided with broader changes in women’s figure skating, including stricter age eligibility rules adopted by the International Skating Union after Beijing.
Sakamoto, who won bronze in Beijing, announced these Games would be her last. Nakai, 17, is in her first senior season, underscoring a transitional moment in the sport.
“This is significant not only for the United States but for the competitive balance of women’s skating,” said Christine Brennan, veteran Olympic journalist and author covering figure skating.
“For years, the podium was dominated by Russian and Japanese athletes. Liu’s win signals a shift.”
Doug Williams, a former US Figure Skating official and current sports governance consultant, said Liu’s comeback reflects evolving athlete welfare models.
“We are seeing athletes step away, reset mentally and return stronger,” Williams said. “That was rare a decade ago.”
The result also boosts US Figure Skating’s development pipeline ahead of the next Olympic cycle.
US women’s Olympic champions
| Year | Champion | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Tara Lipinski | United States |
| 2002 | Sarah Hughes | United States |
| 2006-2022 | Various | Non-U.S. |
| 2026 | Alysa Liu | United States |
Amber Glenn, Liu’s teammate who finished fifth, called the moment “historic for our team.” “She skated free,” Glenn said. “You could see she loved every second.”
Milano organizing committee spokesperson Elena Rossi said the arena atmosphere reflected the significance. “The crowd understood they were witnessing a milestone,” Rossi said.
Liu has not confirmed whether she will compete through the next Olympic cycle. US Figure Skating officials said her win is expected to increase youth participation and sponsorship interest domestically.
For now, Liu’s Olympic figure skating gold stands as a defining moment in her career and a landmark result for American women in the sport.
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