Women's Figure Skating Takes Center Stage at 2026 Winter Olympics

After a controversial 2022 Olympics, the women's individual event promises redemption and new stars

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The women's individual figure skating competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina will be a must-watch event, with Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, the USA's Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn, and a controversial Russian skater Adeliia Petrosian all vying for gold. The event comes after the 2022 Olympics in Beijing were marred by doping scandals and Russian dominance, leading to calls for reform in the sport.

Why it matters

The 2022 Winter Olympics figure skating events were a low point for the sport, with the Russian doping scandal and subsequent fallout casting a dark cloud over the competition. This year's event represents a chance for redemption and a reset, as new stars emerge and the sport looks to move past the controversies of the past.

The details

The women's individual competition will take place over two days, with the short program on Tuesday and the free skate on Thursday. Japan's Kaori Sakamoto is the veteran favorite, seeking a third straight world title and hoping to cap her career with Olympic gold. The USA will be represented by two strong medal contenders in Alysa Liu, the 2025 world champion, and Amber Glenn, the reigning U.S. champion. The wild card is Russian skater Adeliia Petrosian, who was allowed to compete as a 'Neutral Olympic Athlete' after passing an IOC background check. Petrosian is coached by the controversial Eteri Tutberidze, whose training methods have come under scrutiny.

  • The women's individual figure skating short program will take place on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The women's individual figure skating free skate will take place on Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Kaori Sakamoto

A Japanese figure skater and three-time world champion who is seeking her first Olympic gold medal in her third and final Olympics.

Alysa Liu

An American figure skater and the 2025 world champion, known for her halo hair and piercings, who is a podium favorite at these Olympics.

Amber Glenn

An American figure skater and the reigning U.S. national champion, who will bring an energetic Madonna-themed short program to the Olympics.

Adeliia Petrosian

A Russian figure skater who was allowed to compete as a 'Neutral Olympic Athlete' after passing an IOC background check, and is coached by the controversial Eteri Tutberidze.

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What they’re saying

“These are my third, and final, Olympics, and I'm playing into the moment by skating to some real tearjerkers.”

— Kaori Sakamoto (yardbarker.com)

“I'm marching into these Games with no pressure and no worries. I'm a podium favorite if I skate clean.”

— Alysa Liu, Defending World Champion (yardbarker.com)

What’s next

The women's individual figure skating event will conclude on Thursday, February 20, 2026 with the free skate competition.

The takeaway

The 2026 Winter Olympics women's figure skating competition represents a chance for the sport to move past the controversies of the past and showcase a new generation of stars. With Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, the USA's Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn, and the wild card of Russian skater Adeliia Petrosian, the event promises high drama and redemption on the ice.