From prodigy to Olympic figure skating icon

Alysa Liu was considered a figure skating prodigy from a very young age. At 13, she became the youngest national champion in the history of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and soon after made history as the first American woman to land a triple Axel and a quadruple Lutz in competition.

Her undeniable talent led her to represent the United States at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, where she gained experience on the sport’s biggest stage. After that initial Olympic phase, Alysa Liu stepped away from competition to live like a normal teenager.

Her departure seemed final, and figure skating appeared to lose one of its greatest prospects. However, in 2023 she began training again, and her comeback became one of the most compelling stories in the sport.

Alysa Liu’s Breakthrough at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

At the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Alysa Liu reached the competitive maturity of her career. Her programs stood out for their technical precision, seamless transitions and a charisma that created a captivating connection with the figure skating audience.

During the Olympic competition, her strong performances in the short program, set to “Promise” by Laufey, and the free skate, set to “MacArthur Park Suite” by Donna Summer, led her to capture double Olympic gold: women’s singles (226.79 points) and the team event. Her free skate included a triple Axel and a quadruple Lutz, placing her among the world’s best, confirming her status as one of the most complete skaters of her generation and delivering a historic result for the United States in women’s figure skating.

Alysa Liu closed Milano-Cortina 2026 with an unforgettable exhibition in the figure skating gala on February 21 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, presenting a program full of elegance and joy, set to “Stateside” by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson

Why Alysa Liu Captivated Figure Skating Fans

Alysa Liu’s impact goes beyond Olympic results. Her style blends technical power with lightness, speed, and expressiveness, creating figure skating programs that connect emotionally with audiences.

Her personal story also drew new audiences to figure skating. Her authenticity, energy, and natural ease under Olympic pressure made many spectators identify with her.

One of Modern Figure Skating’s Defining Stars

With memorable performances at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and the international circuit, Alysa Liu established herself as one of the most influential skaters of her generation. 

At Milano-Cortina 2026, she not only won Olympic gold but helped define an era in women’s figure skating.