Alysa Liu Brings Home Olympic Gold for Team USA

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be a chance to showcase California's spirit on the global stage.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will offer a great chance to showcase California to the world. Americans beamed with pride when Alysa Liu brought home the first Olympic gold medal in women's figure skating in 24 years, in contrast to Eileen Gu who chose to represent China despite being born in the U.S. Liu, a proud and patriotic American with Chinese heritage, is inspiring California's Olympic spirit.

Why it matters

The success of athletes like Alysa Liu highlights the importance of the Olympic spirit to California. As the eyes of the world turn to Los Angeles in 2028, it's crucial that California's leaders come together to make the games a resounding success, building on the inspiration provided by American athletes like Liu.

The details

Alysa Liu, a Californian figure skater, won the first Olympic gold medal for the U.S. in women's figure skating in 24 years at the current Games in Milan. This is in contrast to Eileen Gu, who was born in the U.S. but chose to represent China, earning millions in endorsements while refusing to criticize China's human rights record.

  • Alysa Liu won the Olympic gold medal on Thursday.
  • The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles.

The players

Alysa Liu

A Californian figure skater who won the first Olympic gold medal for the U.S. in women's figure skating in 24 years.

Eileen Gu

An American-born athlete who chose to represent China at the Olympics, earning millions in endorsements while refusing to criticize China's human rights record.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The eyes of the world will be on Los Angeles in 2028 as it hosts the Summer Olympics. California's leaders must come together to make the games a success, building on the inspiration provided by American athletes like Alysa Liu.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's Olympic gold medal victory for the United States showcases the importance of the Olympic spirit to California. As the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approach, this success should inspire California's leaders to put aside differences and focus on what unites us to make the games a resounding triumph.