Alysa Liu's Father Regrets Mistake That Led to Her Retirement at 16

Arthur Liu opens up about the decision to move his daughter to Colorado Springs, which contributed to her premature exit from figure skating.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 4:54am

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Alysa Liu's father, Arthur Liu, revealed the mistake he made that led to his daughter's retirement from figure skating at the age of 16. In an exclusive interview, Arthur admitted that he regrets moving Alysa to Colorado Springs, where she felt homesick and began to dislike the sport, ultimately quitting. Alysa later returned to the sport in 2024 and went on to win gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but her father's decision to leave her alone in Colorado Springs during a difficult time had a lasting impact.

Why it matters

Alysa Liu's story highlights the immense pressure and challenges young athletes face, especially those from single-parent households. Arthur Liu's candid admission about the mistake he made in managing his daughter's career provides valuable insight into the delicate balance between supporting a child's dreams and ensuring their emotional well-being.

The details

Arthur Liu, a Chinese dissident who fled to the U.S. and became an attorney, introduced his daughter Alysa to figure skating. As a single parent, he found it difficult to manage his profession and support Alysa's skating career. In a decision he deeply regrets, Liu moved Alysa from the family home to Colorado Springs, where she felt homesick and began to dislike the sport, ultimately leading to her retirement at 16. Alysa later returned to the sport in 2024 and went on to win gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but her father's earlier decision had a lasting impact.

  • In 2022, Alysa Liu won gold medals in the team and women's individual programs at the Beijing Olympics.
  • In 2024, Alysa returned to figure skating and went on to win the World and national championships.
  • In 2026, Alysa won gold medals at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The players

Alysa Liu

A two-time Olympic champion who won gold medals in the team and women's individual programs at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Arthur Liu

Alysa Liu's father, a Chinese dissident who fled to the U.S. and became an attorney, and who made the decision to move his daughter to Colorado Springs, which contributed to her premature retirement from figure skating.

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What they’re saying

“In retrospect, I feel I made a mistake.. I took her to Colorado Springs and I left her there. During that period of time, I wasn't there for her. She was upset and she missed home. But then I was thinking, when I was 14, I went to boarding school. I survived. I felt like (Alysa) can survive this, too. But not knowing that she hated it. I did not know until she came home.”

— Arthur Liu, Alysa Liu's Father

What’s next

Alysa Liu has stated her intention to use her global platform to raise mental health awareness and inspire more people to pursue their dreams.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's story serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between supporting a child's dreams and ensuring their emotional well-being, especially for young athletes from single-parent households. Arthur Liu's candid admission about the mistake he made in managing his daughter's career provides valuable insight into the challenges faced by many families.