Oakland Honors Olympic Champion Alysa Liu with Key to the City

The figure skating gold medalist was celebrated in her hometown with a rally featuring Bay Area artists and sports teams.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:49pm

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Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu was honored in her hometown of Oakland, California, on Thursday with a rally that included her receiving a key to the city from Mayor Barbara Lee. Liu, who won two gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, was celebrated by city officials, local artists, and sports teams for her achievements and representation of Oakland.

Why it matters

Alysa Liu's Olympic success has brought immense pride to the city of Oakland, which has struggled with economic challenges and a changing identity in recent years. The rally and key to the city recognition highlight the importance of hometown heroes and the power of sports to unite and inspire local communities.

The details

During the rally, Oakland City Councilmember Ken Houston praised Liu's performance and representation of the city, saying "Alysa Liu, she represented The Town! When she skated, she showed style, she showed finesse, she showed Oakland style." The event also featured performances by Bay Area natives G-Eazy and Grammy Award winner Kehlani, as well as appearances from mascots of local sports teams like the Oakland Ballers and Golden State Valkyries.

  • The rally honoring Alysa Liu took place on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • Liu won two gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

The players

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old figure skating champion who won two gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, representing her hometown of Oakland, California.

Barbara Lee

The mayor of Oakland, California, who presented Alysa Liu with a key to the city during the rally.

Ken Houston

An Oakland City Councilmember who praised Alysa Liu's performance and representation of the city.

G-Eazy

A Bay Area native musician who performed at the rally honoring Alysa Liu.

Kehlani

A Grammy Award-winning Bay Area native musician who performed at the rally honoring Alysa Liu.

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What they’re saying

“Alysa Liu, she represented The Town! When she skated, she showed style, she showed finesse, she showed Oakland style. And when she bit the coin, she let 'em know that Oakland is in the house. So we are so proud of her.”

— Ken Houston, Oakland City Councilmember (ESPN)

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's Olympic triumph has brought a sense of unity and pride to the city of Oakland, highlighting the power of hometown heroes to inspire and uplift their local communities. The rally and key to the city recognition demonstrate the city's commitment to celebrating its own and the enduring spirit of Oakland.