Alysa Liu joins elite group of American women to win Olympic figure skating gold

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Alysa Liu's historic performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan made her the eighth American woman to win a gold medal in the figure skating singles event. Liu, the reigning 2025 world champion, secured the gold medal in the individual competition and also helped the U.S. team win gold in the team event. She joins an exclusive club of American figure skating champions that includes Tenley Albright, Carol Heiss, Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi, Tara Lipinski, and Sarah Hughes.

Why it matters

Liu's victory ends a 24-year drought for the U.S. in the women's figure skating singles event at the Olympics. She is the first American woman to win the Olympic title since Sarah Hughes in 2002, and her accomplishment cements the U.S. as a powerhouse in the sport once again.

The details

At just 20 years old, Liu made a remarkable comeback to the sport after retiring at 16, and she put together a dominant performance in Milan to claim the gold medal. She became the first woman to complete both a quadruple jump and a triple axel in the same program, showcasing her technical mastery. Liu's victory was considered an upset, as she beat out the favored skater from Japan, Kaori Sakamoto, for the top spot on the podium.

• Liu won the 2025 World Championships prior to the 2026 Olympics.
• The 2026 Winter Olympics were held in Milan, Italy.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Liu will likely continue to be a dominant force in women's figure skating, and she could potentially defend her Olympic title at the 2030 Winter Games.