Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu Celebrates Family's Immigrant Legacy

Alysa Liu's father, Arthur Liu, was a Chinese political dissident who fled to the US as a refugee.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Alysa Liu, the 2026 Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, has become a source of national pride. But her inspiring journey is also intertwined with her family's history as immigrants and her father Arthur Liu's past as a Chinese political dissident who fled to the US as a refugee.

Why it matters

Liu's story highlights the experiences of immigrant families in America and the challenges they can face, even as their children achieve remarkable athletic success. Her father's history as a pro-democracy activist also underscores broader concerns about the Chinese government's efforts to monitor and intimidate dissidents living abroad.

The details

Born in 2005 in Richmond, California, Alysa Liu rose to prominence as a teenage figure skating prodigy, becoming the youngest US women's national champion in 2019 at age 13. After a brief retirement, she made a comeback that culminated in a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. In interviews, Liu has spoken about seeking greater independence in her training, including more input on coaching and choreography decisions.

  • Alysa Liu was born on August 8, 2005 in Richmond, California.
  • In 2019, at age 13, Liu became the youngest US women's national figure skating champion.
  • Liu announced her retirement from competitive skating in April 2022 at age 16.
  • Liu made a comeback and won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

The players

Alysa Liu

A 2026 Olympic gold medalist in figure skating who has become a source of national pride in the US.

Arthur Junguo Liu

Alysa Liu's father, an immigration attorney based in California who was previously involved in pro-democracy activism in China and fled the country as a political refugee.

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What they’re saying

“I had always wanted to have kids, and I was already 40.”

— Arthur Liu, Alysa Liu's father (San Francisco Chronicle)

“I was already 40.”

— Arthur Liu, Alysa Liu's father (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The US Department of Justice has charged several individuals accused of acting on behalf of the Chinese government to monitor and intimidate Chinese dissidents living in the United States, including Alysa Liu's father Arthur Liu. The case is part of broader efforts to counter what the DOJ describes as 'transnational repression'.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's inspiring Olympic triumph is a testament to the resilience and determination of immigrant families in America. Her story underscores the complex challenges they can face, even as their children achieve remarkable success, and highlights the importance of protecting the rights and freedoms of dissidents living abroad.