Alysa Liu finds joy in returning to figure skating

The 20-year-old Olympian overcame a difficult first Olympics to rediscover her passion for the sport

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Alysa Liu, the reigning world champion figure skater, is heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan with a renewed sense of joy and control over her career. After a difficult experience at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she finished sixth, the 20-year-old from Richmond, California took a break from the sport to study at UCLA and explore other interests. But she found herself drawn back to the ice in 2024, this time on her own terms - picking her own music, routines, and training schedule. Liu, who has been open about her ADHD diagnosis, is now focused on having fun and skating beautiful programs, rather than chasing medals and placements.

Why it matters

Liu's journey highlights the challenges young athletes can face, from intense pressure to parental control, that can lead them to temporarily step away from their sport. Her decision to return to figure skating on her own terms, and rediscover her joy in the sport, serves as an inspiring example of how athletes can find fulfillment by taking control of their careers.

The details

After winning consecutive U.S. national titles as a middle schooler and becoming the first American woman to land a quadruple jump in competition, Liu found herself increasingly miserable in the lead-up to the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Her father controlled her career, and the isolating experience of training and competing during the pandemic took a toll. She decided to leave the sport after the 2022 world championships, enrolling at UCLA and exploring new experiences like hiking in the Himalayas. But in early 2024, Liu felt drawn back to the ice, this time determined to do it her way. She now picks her own music, routines and training schedule, and has found the fun and creativity in the sport that was missing before.

  • Liu won consecutive U.S. national titles in 2019 and 2020 at ages 13 and 14.
  • She competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, finishing sixth.
  • Liu left the sport after the 2022 world championships, enrolling at UCLA.
  • In early 2024, Liu decided to return to figure skating on her own terms.
  • Liu won the 2025 world championship and took silver at the 2026 U.S. nationals.

The players

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old figure skater from Richmond, California who is the reigning world champion and is heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Arthur Liu

Alysa Liu's father, who previously controlled her skating career.

Phillip DiGuglielino

Alysa Liu's figure skating coach.

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What they’re saying

“Quitting was the best decision I ever made, and coming back was the best decision I ever made. I don't make bad decisions.”

— Alysa Liu (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Her attitude towards skating is amazing; she does not care about placement and medals. She just wants to skate two beautiful programs. She is having fun right now. She is in control of everything.”

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

What’s next

This week in Milan, Liu, the reigning world champion, will try to end a 24-year drought for American women in figure skating by winning Olympic gold.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's journey shows how young athletes can reclaim their passion for a sport by taking control of their careers and focusing on the joy of competition, rather than just results. Her story serves as an inspiration for other athletes struggling with the intense pressure and demands of elite-level sports.