East Bay Olympians Shine at Milan Cortina Closing Ceremony

Kristi Yamaguchi and Alysa Liu, both from the Bay Area, had memorable moments at the 2026 Winter Games.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The closing ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics featured standout performances by two East Bay natives, figure skaters Kristi Yamaguchi and Alysa Liu. Yamaguchi, who won gold at the 1992 Winter Games, was reminded of her own journey while watching the young Liu seize the spotlight in Italy.

Why it matters

The success of Yamaguchi and Liu at the Olympics highlights the Bay Area's rich history of producing world-class winter sports athletes, despite the region's mild climate. Their achievements inspire the next generation of young skaters in the region to pursue their Olympic dreams.

The details

Yamaguchi, who was born in Hayward and grew up in Fremont, won the gold medal in figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. Liu, a native of Oakland, made her Olympic debut at the Milan Cortina Games and delivered a standout performance that captivated audiences around the world.

  • Kristi Yamaguchi won gold at the 1992 Winter Olympics.
  • Alysa Liu made her Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

The players

Kristi Yamaguchi

An American figure skater who won the gold medal in the ladies' singles event at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. She was born in Hayward and grew up in Fremont, California.

Alysa Liu

An American figure skater who made her Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. She was born in Oakland, California.

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What they’re saying

“Watching Alysa out there, it really took me back to my own Olympic journey. The Bay Area has such a rich history of producing incredible winter sports athletes, and it's inspiring to see the next generation carrying on that tradition.”

— Kristi Yamaguchi (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The success of Yamaguchi and Liu at the Olympics demonstrates the Bay Area's ability to cultivate world-class winter sports talent, even in a region known more for its mild climate. Their achievements serve as a source of inspiration for young athletes in the region who aspire to represent the United States on the global stage.