Alysa Liu Wins Gold at 2026 Winter Olympics

The 20-year-old figure skater's joyful performance captivates the crowd and makes history.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old American figure skater, won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Liu's free skate routine was virtually flawless, and she skated with a constant smile, laughing and pointing to the sky as she finished. Despite the immense pressure of the Olympics, Liu remained calm, confident, and focused, in contrast to many other competitors who crumbled under the stress. Liu's coach praised her unique mindset, saying she has "one voice in her head and it says, 'I got this.'" This victory marks the first time an American woman has won an individual figure skating gold medal since 2002.

Why it matters

Liu's gold medal win is a remarkable achievement, not just for her technical skating ability, but for her joyful and carefree approach to the competition. In a sport often defined by intense pressure and nerves, Liu's ability to remain calm and have fun on the ice captivated audiences and could inspire a new generation of figure skaters. Her story of taking a break from the sport, only to return with renewed passion and determination, also provides an inspiring narrative.

The details

Liu, a former junior and national champion, had initially retired from competitive skating after making the 2022 Olympic team. However, she decided to return to the sport, and in short order rose back to the top, becoming world champion before her triumph at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Her free skate routine was nearly flawless, featuring a series of difficult jumps and spins that she executed with grace and ease. Throughout her performance, Liu smiled, laughed, and even pointed to the sky, exuding a level of joy and confidence that is rare to see at the Olympic level.

  • Liu won the gold medal on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • She had previously won junior and national titles from 2016 to 2020.

The players

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old American figure skater who won the gold medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Liu is the first American woman to win an individual figure skating gold medal since 2002.

Phillip DiGuglielmo

Liu's coach, who praised her unique mindset and ability to remain calm and confident under pressure.

Amber Glenn

Liu's teammate, who had a disappointing performance earlier in the competition.

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What they’re saying

“She's not like us. The rest of us here would be like, 'Oh my God, I'm nervous. I can't do this. I have a million voices in my head.' She has one voice in her head and it says, 'I got this.'”

— Phillip DiGuglielmo, Liu's coach

“The feelings I felt out there were calm, happy, confident. Of course I had fun. But I've been having fun all the time.”

— Alysa Liu

“I don't need this. What I needed was the stage. And I got that. So I was all good, no matter what happened. If I fell on every jump, I would still be wearing this dress.”

— Alysa Liu

What’s next

Liu's gold medal win could inspire a renewed interest in figure skating, similar to the impact of Dorothy Hamill's 1976 Olympic victory. The sport's governing bodies will likely look to capitalize on Liu's success and charisma to attract more young skaters to the sport.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's joyful and confident performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics demonstrates that it is possible to excel in high-pressure athletic competitions while maintaining a positive and carefree attitude. Her story provides an inspiring example of how taking a break from a sport can reignite a passion for it, and how that passion can translate into greatness.