Alysa Liu wins figure skating gold, ending 24-year US drought

The 20-year-old American delivers a near-flawless Olympic free skate performance in Milan.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Alysa Liu, a 20-year-old figure skater from the San Francisco Bay Area, won the Olympic gold medal in women's figure skating at the Milan Cortina Games, ending a 24-year drought for the United States. Liu delivered a near-perfect free skate performance that left the crowd inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena standing and cheering. She finished with 226.79 points, edging out Japanese skaters Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai who took silver and bronze respectively.

Why it matters

Liu's gold medal is the first for an American woman in figure skating since 2002, when Sarah Hughes won in Salt Lake City. Liu's journey back to the top of the sport after taking a break due to burnout is seen as an inspiring story for the skating community, showing that it's okay to step away and focus on mental health.

The details

Liu, who was the youngest U.S. champion ever at age 13, retired from the sport after finishing sixth at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. She spent the next two years doing other activities like climbing to Mount Everest base camp and studying psychology at UCLA. It was on a skiing trip a couple of years ago that Liu felt the familiar adrenaline rush and decided to make a comeback, this time on her own terms and with a more carefree and self-assured attitude.

  • Liu won the first of her back-to-back U.S. titles at age 13.
  • Liu finished sixth at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, then retired from the sport.
  • Liu began considering a comeback a couple of years ago after a skiing trip.
  • Liu won the Olympic gold medal on February 20, 2026 in Milan.

The players

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old figure skater from the San Francisco Bay Area who won the Olympic gold medal in women's figure skating at the Milan Cortina Games, ending a 24-year drought for the United States.

Kaori Sakamoto

A Japanese figure skater who won the silver medal at the Milan Cortina Games. Sakamoto is a three-time world champion who intends to retire after this season.

Ami Nakai

A 17-year-old Japanese figure skater who won the bronze medal at the Milan Cortina Games.

Amber Glenn

An American figure skater who finished fifth in the women's competition at the Milan Cortina Games. Glenn helped the U.S. team win gold in the team event.

Adeliia Petrosian

An 18-year-old Russian figure skater competing as a neutral athlete at the Milan Cortina Games.

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What they’re saying

“Her story of taking a step back, mental health, I think it really attests to you never know what the journey to success is going to be. I really hope that can reach the skating community, that it's OK to take time.”

— Amber Glenn, U.S. figure skater (eastidahonews.com)

“I'm really regretful. I feel like I'm so disappointed, to be honest.”

— Kaori Sakamoto, Japanese figure skater (eastidahonews.com)

“I feel a little ashamed, for myself, for the federation, for my coaches and for the spectators that it went this way. I understand that it's my own fault.”

— Adeliia Petrosian, Russian figure skater (eastidahonews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's Olympic gold medal triumph is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of mental health in sports. Her journey back to the top of the figure skating world after taking a break serves as an inspiring example for young athletes who may be struggling with burnout or the pressures of competition.