Oakland to Host Celebration for Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu

The 20-year-old figure skater, who trained at the Oakland Ice Center, will be honored at a rally in Frank Ogawa Plaza on March 12.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The city of Oakland announced plans to hold a celebration and rally on March 12 to honor Olympic gold medalist figure skater Alysa Liu. Liu, who was raised in Oakland and trained at the Oakland Ice Center, became the first American woman to win a gold medal in figure skating since 2002 after her victory at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Why it matters

Alysa Liu's Olympic gold medal win has made her a hometown hero in Oakland, where she grew up and trained. The city is eager to celebrate her achievement and shine a spotlight on the local talent and community that supported her journey to the top.

The details

The free celebration rally will be held at Frank Ogawa Plaza at Oakland City Hall from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 12. There will be a pre-rally and press conference in the city council chambers beforehand. The 20-year-old Liu was born in Richmond and raised in Oakland, where she learned to skate and trained at the Oakland Ice Center. She was also a student at the Oakland School for the Arts, which praised her as a "true artist" who brought "artistry and athletic excellence" to the ice.

  • Alysa Liu won the gold medal in the Women's Free Skating event at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on February 19.
  • The celebration rally in Oakland will be held on March 12, 2026.

The players

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old figure skater who was raised in Oakland, California and trained at the Oakland Ice Center. She became the first American woman to win a gold medal in figure skating since 2002 after her victory at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Barbara Lee

The mayor of Oakland, California, who praised Liu as a "hometown hero" and said the celebration rally is a way for the city to honor her extraordinary achievement and everything the community represents.

Oakland School for the Arts

The school where Alysa Liu was a student, and which celebrated her as a "true artist" who brought "artistry and athletic excellence" to her figure skating performances.

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What’s next

The celebration rally in Oakland will be held on March 12, 2026 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's Olympic gold medal win has made her a source of immense pride for the city of Oakland, where she grew up and trained. The upcoming celebration rally is a way for the community to come together and honor her remarkable achievement, which has inspired many and shone a spotlight on the local talent and support system that helped her reach the pinnacle of her sport.