Alysa Liu Radiates Joy as Olympic Champion

The 20-year-old American figure skater won gold with an exuberant free skate performance.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old American figure skater, won the Olympic gold medal in Milan with a joyful and carefree free skate performance. Despite the immense pressure of the Olympics, Liu seemed unconcerned with the outcome, focusing instead on connecting with the people who brought her happiness in the stands. She delivered a clean and upbeat routine that dazzled the judges and the audience, earning her the top spot on the podium.

Why it matters

Liu's gold medal win is a testament to the power of embracing joy and staying present in the moment, even at the highest levels of competition. Her ability to tune out the external pressures and distractions and simply skate for the love of the sport is an inspiring example for young athletes.

The details

After placing third in the short program, Liu appeared more concerned with comforting her teammate Amber Glenn, who had a disappointing performance, than with her own chances of winning. When it came time for her free skate, Liu delivered a flawless routine, smiling and connecting with her friends and family in the stands. Despite the high stakes, Liu maintained a carefree attitude, saying she would have been happy even if she had fallen on every jump.

  • Liu won the Olympic gold medal on February 20, 2026.
  • Four years earlier, Liu had retired from figure skating at the age of 16.

The players

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old American figure skater who won the Olympic gold medal in Milan.

Amber Glenn

Liu's teammate who had a disappointing performance in the short program, but was comforted by Liu.

Kaori Sakamoto

The Japanese figure skater who won the silver medal.

Ami Nakai

The Japanese figure skater who won the bronze medal.

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What they’re saying

“I don't need this. What I needed was the stage, and I got it. So I was all good no matter what. If I fell on every jump, I would still be wearing this dress.”

— Alysa Liu (Sports Illustrated)

“She was in there [to] comfort me. So kind.”

— Amber Glenn, Liu's teammate (Sports Illustrated)

“It's conflicting, because you want to stay there, but you also don't want to wish mistakes on others.”

— Amber Glenn, Liu's teammate (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

Liu will return home with two gold medals, one from the team event and one from the individual event.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan showcases the power of embracing joy and staying present in the moment, even under immense pressure. Her carefree and exuberant performance is an inspiring example for young athletes to focus on the love of their sport rather than the pursuit of medals.