Alysa Liu's unlikely Olympic gold medal caps off a roller-coaster week in figure skating
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Alysa Liu, after a two-year hiatus, returned to figure skating with the goal of expressing her creativity and personal artistry, ultimately winning two Olympic gold medals at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan.
- Liu became the first American woman since 2002 to win Olympic gold in women's figure skating, delivering a flawless free skate performance and securing both team and individual titles.
- Following her initial retirement in 2022, Liu embraced a more balanced life including college and personal interests before rekindling her passion for skating on her own terms, focusing on joy and creativity rather than results.
- The U.S. figure skating team experienced mixed results at the Olympics, with strong performances in the team event and women's singles but disappointments
