10 Photos of Alysa Lui: Figure Skater Wins First Olympic Gold for US After 24 Years

The ice inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena was still shimmering from the previous routines when Alysa Liu stepped into the centre of the rink, but the atmosphere had already shifted. For two decades, American women had chased an elusive Olympic individual gold, a drought that stretched back to a time before the 20-year-old Californian figure skater was even born.

With a radiant smile and a sense of liberation that only comes from a skater who once walked away from it all, Liu delivered a performance that did more than break a streak. She reclaimed a legacy, transforming 20 years of anticipation into a four-minute masterpiece of joy and technical precision. Her recent victory also proved Liu's return to the competition after announcing her retirement was worth it.

Team USA Breaks Two-Decade Drought With Alysa Liu's Victory

Alysa Liu secured the Olympic title on Thursday, 19 February 2026, marking the first time an American woman has stood atop the individual podium since Sarah Hughes in 2002. Entering the free skate in third place after a carefree short program, Liu surged to the front of the pack with a career-best total score of 226.79. Her routine to Donna Summer's MacArthur Park Suite was a masterclass in both athleticism and artistry, featuring a near-flawless triple lutz and triple salchow.

The victory was decisive, as Liu leapfrogged the Japanese duo of Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai, who took silver and bronze, respectively.

"I can't process this, there's no way,' Liu said on the broadcast after being announced as the new Olympic champion.

This gold medal is her second of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, following her contribution to Team USA's victory in the team event earlier in the month.

Who Is Alysa Liu And Her Journey Back To The Ice?

Born in Clovis, California, Alysa Liu has been a figure of national interest since becoming the youngest US women's champion in history at 13. Her path to Olympic gold, however, was anything but linear.

After a sixth-place finish at the Beijing 2022 Games and a bronze at the World Championships, Liu stunned the sporting world by announcing her retirement at just 16 years old. She cited burnout and a desire for a 'normal life', eventually enrolling at UCLA to study psychology and trading the rink for road trips and trekking to Everest Base Camp.

'I started [skating] when I was 5, and I basically didn't stop until 16, and I was homeschooled my whole life,' Liu told NBC News in 2026, explaining why she decided to quit the sport. 'And I'm a very social person. I crave human connection. And I was living by myself for many years, no family, no friends around, all for the sake of training.'

The hiatus lasted two years before a winter ski trip reignited her craving for the 'adrenaline rush' unique to the ice. She officially returned to competition in 2024, but under a new set of conditions – to have control in her career.

'The vibes are so different now. The way I was being treated before is a lot different than I am now,' she told ESPN about her return after a two-year retirement. 'I have such a different team and I treat myself differently. I'm older and I've learned so many lessons. I'm so much better at protecting my peace and knowing why I do the things I do.'

This 'Alysa 2.0' approach proved remarkably effective, as she reclaimed the world title in 2025 before arriving in Italy as a mature, self-directed athlete.

'I Don't Need a Medal'

Alysa Liu was among the favourites to win gold in the Women's Singles event. However, she made it clear early on that she wasn't competing to win a medal, unlike at her first Olympics in 2022.

'Whether I beat them or not is not my goal,' Liu told The Athletic. 'My goal is just to do my programs and share my story. I don't need to, I guess, be over or under anyone to do that....I don't need a medal. I just need to be here, and I just need to present, and I need people to see what I do next.'

Well, it turned out that she was meant to take home a gold medal for her second Olympics. Congratulations, Alysa Liu!