Team USA's Historic Wins Represent the American Dream

Ice skaters with immigrant roots help Team USA make sports history at the Winter Olympics in Milan.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Team USA made sports history at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, winning a record 12 gold medals. This historic achievement was driven in part by American athletes with immigrant backgrounds, including figure skaters Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin. Liu became the first American female singles figure skater to win gold in 24 years, while Malinin's must-win free skate helped the U.S. figure skating team clinch the gold. These victories showcase the important role immigrants and their children play in the success of Team USA.

Why it matters

The Olympic success of athletes with immigrant roots highlights how diversity and inclusion strengthen the United States. At a time when the federal government is actively 'othering' immigrants, the Olympics serve as a reminder that individuals who make their home here only make the country more prosperous, stronger, and joyous, no matter their background.

The details

Alysa Liu, the daughter of a Chinese dissident and political refugee, became the 'first American female singles figure skater to win a gold medal in 24 years.' Liu's victory cements her place among an elite class of iconic champions, with three of the eight American women to earn skating's top honor hailing from the Bay Area, including Liu. Meanwhile, figure skater Ilia Malinin, the son of Uzbek immigrants, 'delivered a must-win free skate' that helped break a tie and win gold for the American figure skating team.

  • Alysa Liu was just 6 months old when the last American female singles figure skater won a medal of any color in 2006.
  • Ilia Malinin's parents, Tatyana Malinina and Roman Skornyakov, moved to the U.S. from Uzbekistan in 1998.

The players

Alysa Liu

An American figure skater who became the 'first American female singles figure skater to win a gold medal in 24 years' at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Liu is the daughter of Arthur Liu, a Chinese dissident and political refugee.

Ilia Malinin

An American figure skater whose 'must-win free skate' helped the U.S. figure skating team clinch the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Malinin is the son of Uzbek immigrants Tatyana Malinina and Roman Skornyakov, who moved to the U.S. in 1998.

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What they’re saying

“I feel passionate — it makes me want to skate more! 'An Olympian was skating here, and I'm skating here too! She's the celebrity of this place!'”

— Abby P., 11-year-old from Alameda (The San Francisco Standard)

“I like America very much. It was difficult to come to America, but easy to stay.”

— Tatyana Malinina (People)

The takeaway

The Olympic success of athletes with immigrant roots showcases how diversity and inclusion strengthen the United States. These victories are a reminder that individuals who make their home here, no matter their background, only make the country more prosperous, stronger, and joyous.