Alysa Liu Ends 24‑Year U.S. Drought with Carefree Gold at Milan 2026
Updated (31 articles)
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Image: NewsweekGold medalist Alysa Liu of Team United States poses for a photo after the medal ceremony for the Women’s Single Skating on day thirteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images) Source Full size -
Image: NewsweekGold medalist Alysa Liu of Team United States poses for a photo after the medal ceremony for the Women’s Single Skating on day thirteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images) Source Full size
Liu Wins Gold with 226.79 Points, Ending 24‑Year Drought Alysa Liu captured the women’s singles gold on Feb. 19, 2026 in Milan‑Cortina with a total of 226.79 points, beating Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto (224.90) and Ami Nakai (219.16) and delivering the United States its first individual women’s Olympic title since Sarah Hughes in 2002 [1][2][5][13]. Liu entered the free skate in third place and posted a career‑best 150.20 free‑skate score, overtaking the Japanese rivals who each faltered on a combination sequence [11][12][13]. The victory follows an earlier U.S. team‑event gold, marking the only other figure‑skating gold for America at these Games [1][5].
Comeback After 2022 Retirement Fuels Historic Victory Liu retired after the Beijing 2022 Games, citing burnout, relentless training from age five, and a desire for normal life, and announced the decision on Instagram in April 2022 [8][9][14]. She spent time studying psychology at UCLA, climbing to Everest’s base camp, and skiing with friends before returning to competition in 2024, adopting a relaxed mindset that she described as “no pressure” [1][3][6][14]. The comeback produced a 2025 world title—the first U.S. women’s world championship since 2006—setting the stage for her Olympic triumph [3][14]. Liu says she will use her platform to promote mental‑health awareness in sport [1][6].
Peers and Public Celebrate Liu’s Joyful Performance Two‑time Olympic champion Nathan Chen praised Liu’s performance as embodying joy and a lack of pressure, noting her carefree demeanor on the ice [3][4]. Media outlets highlighted her viral free‑skate, which sparked widespread social‑media sharing and was described as “floating across the ice” while she grinned and hugged bronze‑medalist Nakai [6][10][4]. Liu’s post‑victory comments emphasized skating “on her terms” and she expressed intent to inspire future skaters and raise mental‑health awareness [1][6][14].
U.S. Figure Skating Team Shows Mixed Results Across Disciplines Beyond Liu’s win, the United States secured the figure‑skating team gold earlier in the Games, with Liu and Amber Glenn contributing key points [5][7]. In other sports, U.S. women’s hockey claimed overtime gold over Canada, and speed‑skater Jordan Stolz earned silver after a narrow loss to China’s Ning Zhongyan [7][10]. American skaters Amber Glenn finished fifth and Isabeau Levito placed twelfth after errors in the short program, underscoring a mixed performance across the U.S. roster [11][12][17].
Sources
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AP: Alysa Liu Wins First U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Gold Since 2002: details Liu’s 226.79 points, carefree free skate, first gold in 24 years, comeback after retirement, mental‑health focus .
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AP: Alysa Liu Ends 24‑Year U.S. Drought with Olympic Figure Skating Gold: repeats gold win, near‑flawless free skate, event date Feb 19, photo gallery .
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Newsweek: Nathan Chen Commends Alysa Liu’s Olympic Gold in Milan: Chen’s praise, Liu’s comeback narrative, ski trip influence, viral national pride .
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Newsweek: Top Five Figure Skating Performances Highlight 2026 Winter Olympics: lists all medalists, notes Liu’s gold as viral, emotional impact, predicts inspiration for future skaters .
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AP: Alysa Liu ends 24‑year U.S. drought with women’s figure‑skating gold: includes team event gold, details on Japanese silver, Russian neutral athlete fall, Amber Glenn fifth .
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CNN: Alysa Liu Wins Gold with Carefree Performance at 2026 Winter Olympics: describes “MacArthur Park” program, Liu’s jokes about pressure, contrast with peers’ struggles, personal interests .
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King5: Alysa Liu’s gold and U.S. comebacks dominate Milan Cortina Games: mentions Liu’s gold, Japanese podium, U.S. women’s hockey gold, speed skating silver, curling semifinal .
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WBNS: Alysa Liu Wins Olympic Gold After 2022 Retirement: focuses on Liu’s retirement announcement, burnout reasons, post‑retirement family time .
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King5: Alysa Liu Wins Olympic Gold Then Reflects on 2022 Retirement: similar to WBNS, adds 2022 sixth place and World bronze, personal toll of early training .
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CNN: Alyssa Liu Captures U.S. Figure Skating Gold at Milan 2026: highlights sportsmanship with Nakai, U.S. hockey gold, speed skating silver, Liu’s confidence comment .
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WBNS: Alysa Liu Ends 24‑Year U.S. Drought with Olympic Figure Skating Gold: notes Liu entered free skate third, program music, Amber Glenn fifth, Levito 12th .
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King5: Alysa Liu Ends 24‑Year U.S. Drought with Olympic Figure Skating Gold: repeats free‑skate entry third, career‑best score, comeback after retirement, prior U.S. podium rarity .
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BBC: Alysa Liu Wins First U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Gold Since 2002: gives free‑skate points, Sakamoto retirement, Nakai bronze, Liu’s comeback narrative, standing ovation .
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CNN: Alysa Liu’s Return to Figure Skating Leads to Olympic Gold: details early national titles, retirement “gilded cage,” artistic control, 2025 world title, gold with 150.20 free‑skate .
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AP: Tenley Albright, 90, Returns to Olympic Ice in Milan‑Cortina: Albright’s appearance, 1956 sweater, praise for “Blade Angels,” historic anecdote .
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BBC: Japan’s Youngest Skater Leads Women’s Figure Skating at Milan‑Cortina 2026: ISU age change, Nakai short‑program lead, Sakamoto final season, Liu’s Lutz error, Petrosian neutral flag .
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Newsweek: Amber Glenn’s Olympic Slip Highlights US‑Japan Figure Skating Gap: Glenn’s short‑program error, U.S. vs Japan standings, Reddit commentary, Liu and Levito still in medal hunt .
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AP: Japanese Skaters Lead While U.S. Team Falters in Olympic Short Program: Nakai and Sakamoto top scores, Liu third, U.S. errors, Petrosian neutral athlete, Japan’s depth .
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BBC: Japan Leads Women’s Figure Skating Short Program as Ami Nakai Wins: Japan sweep, Liu’s Lutz short, Glenn fall, Petrosian fifth, British retirement .
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King5: U.S. “Blade Angels” Post Strong Scores in Olympic Short Program: Liu leads U.S., Levito solid, Glenn’s triple axel then error, team name origin, role‑model aim .
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Timeline
2002 – Sarah Hughes wins the United States’ first women’s Olympic figure‑skating gold, ending a 24‑year drought that will later be matched by Alysa Liu in 2026 [1][7].
2006 – Sasha Cohen captures silver, becoming the only U.S. women’s podium finish between Hughes’s 2002 gold and Liu’s 2026 triumph [1][7].
Feb 2022 – At the Beijing Games Alysa Liu places sixth in the women’s singles and later earns a World Championships bronze, establishing her as a rising star before she quits the sport [12][13].
Apr 2022 – Liu announces her retirement on Instagram, describing elite skating as a “gilded cage” and citing a need for freedom and normal teenage experiences [12][13].
Mar 2025 – Liu returns to competition, wins the World Championships with a free skate to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park,” delivering the United States its first women’s world title since Kimmie Meissner 2006 [5].
2025 – The International Skating Union raises the minimum age for Olympic figure‑skating competitors from 15 to 17, ensuring the Milan‑Cortina Games may be the first without teenage medalists [2].
Jan 9 2026 – Ilia Malinin posts a flawless short program at the U.S. Championships, scoring 115.10 and cementing his status as the leading American men’s contender for Milan [25].
Jan 10 2026 – Amber Glenn wins her third consecutive U.S. title, Alysa Liu finishes second, and Isabeau Levito takes bronze, shaping the three‑woman Olympic roster [24].
Jan 11 2026 – U.S. Figure Skating announces a 16‑athlete Olympic team, highlighting Malinin, Madison Chock & Evan Bates, and the women’s trio of Liu, Glenn and Levito as medal hopes [23].
Jan 12 2026 – The team roster reveals Maxim Naumov’s tragic backstory, the exclusion of Alisa Efimova/Misha Mitrofanov due to citizenship issues, and confirms Liu’s comeback world title as a key factor [22].
Jan 21 2026 – Veteran coach Brian Boitano calls the 2026 U.S. squad “probably the strongest in history,” while Malinin declares his post‑Games goal to attempt a quintuple axel [20][21].
Jan 29 2026 – Malinin headlines Team USA, embraces the “Quad God” nickname, and says his Olympic mission includes reviving figure‑skating’s popularity worldwide [28].
Feb 17 2026 – In the women’s short program Ami Nakai leads with a season‑best 78.71, Kaori Sakamoto follows, and Liu lands a short‑program triple Lutz short of full rotation, placing third [3][19][26].
Feb 18 2026 – The ISU’s new age rule takes effect, ending the era of teenage champions and reshaping the competitive field for Milan‑Cortina [2].
Feb 19 2026 – Alysa Liu delivers a near‑flawless free skate, scores 226.79 points, and wins the women’s Olympic gold, ending a 24‑year U.S. drought since Sarah Hughes 2002 [7][10][15][16].
Feb 20 2026 – Liu downplays “Olympic pressure,” saying, “You’re going to have to explain to me what Olympic pressure is,” and celebrates the victory as a show for family and friends [4][8].
Feb 20 2026 – The Olympic figure‑skating gala is slated for Saturday (Feb 22), marking the sport’s temporary departure from competition until the next Games [9].
Feb 20 2026 – 90‑year‑old 1956 gold‑medalist Tenley Albright appears in the arena, dons a Team USA sweater, and praises the “Blade Angels” and Liu’s medal bid [17].
Feb 2026 (future) – Liu expresses excitement to skate in the gala “with no judging,” emphasizing her desire for artistic freedom after the Olympic triumph [5].
Dive deeper (10 sub-stories)
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Alysa Liu Secures U.S. First Women’s Figure Skating Gold in 24 Years
(13 articles)
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Newsweek: Top Five Figure Skating Performances Highlight 2026 Winter Olympics
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AP: Tenley Albright, 90, Returns to Olympic Ice in Milan‑Cortina
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BBC: Japan’s Youngest Skater Leads Women’s Figure Skating at Milan‑Cortina 2026
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Japan Dominates Short Program While U.S. Skaters Slip, Glenn Falls to 13th
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Erin Jackson Prepares to Defend 500‑Meter Speed Skating Title at 2026 Milan‑Cortina Games
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Ilia Malinin Heads U.S. Figure Skating Team for 2026 Milan‑Cortina Games
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Yonhap: Lee Hae-in finishes fifth at Four Continents in Beijing as Korea eyes Olympic berths
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Kristi Yamaguchi Looks to Milan Cortina 2026, Praises Malinin and Liu
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All related articles (31 articles)
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AP: Alysa Liu Wins First U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Gold Since 2002
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AP: Alysa Liu Ends 24‑Year U.S. Drought with Olympic Figure Skating Gold
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Newsweek: Nathan Chen Commends Alysa Liu’s Olympic Gold in Milan
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Newsweek: Top Five Figure Skating Performances Highlight 2026 Winter Olympics
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AP: Alysa Liu ends 24‑year U.S. drought with women’s figure‑skating gold
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CNN: Alysa Liu Wins Gold with Carefree Performance at 2026 Winter Olympics
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Alysa Liu’s gold and U.S. comebacks dominate Milan Cortina Games
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Alysa Liu Wins Olympic Gold After 2022 Retirement
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Alysa Liu Wins Olympic Gold Then Reflects on 2022 Retirement
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CNN: Alyssa Liu Captures U.S. Figure Skating Gold at Milan 2026
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Alysa Liu Ends 24‑Year U.S. Drought with Olympic Figure Skating Gold
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Alysa Liu Ends 24‑Year U.S. Drought with Olympic Figure Skating Gold
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BBC: Alysa Liu Wins First U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Gold Since 2002
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CNN: Alysa Liu’s Return to Figure Skating Leads to Olympic Gold
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AP: Tenley Albright, 90, Returns to Olympic Ice in Milan‑Cortina
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BBC: Japan’s Youngest Skater Leads Women’s Figure Skating at Milan‑Cortina 2026
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Newsweek: Amber Glenn’s Olympic Slip Highlights US‑Japan Figure Skating Gap
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AP: Japanese Skaters Lead While U.S. Team Falters in Olympic Short Program
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BBC: Japan Leads Women’s Figure Skating Short Program as Ami Nakai Wins
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King5 (Seattle, WA): U.S. “Blade Angels” Post Strong Scores in Olympic Short Program
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Erin Jackson Prepares to Defend 500‑Meter Speed Skating Title at 2026 Milan‑Cortina Games
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Ilia Malinin Leads U.S. Figure Skating Team at 2026 Milan‑Cortina Olympics
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Yonhap: Lee Hae-in finishes fifth at Four Continents in Beijing as Korea eyes Olympic berths
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Newsweek: Team USA Figure Skating Poised for Olympic Success with Ilia Malinin Leading the Charge
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AP: Ilia Malinin Pursues Olympic Gold After Beijing Snub
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Kristi Yamaguchi reflects on 1992 gold as she looks ahead to Milan Cortina.
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Kristi Yamaguchi reflects on 1992 Olympic gold as she looks toward Milan Cortina
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CNN: U.S. figure skaters head to Milan with champions and a tragedy survivor
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AP: Ilia Malinin leads US figure skating team to Milan Cortina Olympics
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AP: Glenn wins third straight U.S. figure skating title as Olympic team picture tightens
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AP: Malinin dazzles with flawless short program at US Championships, poised for Olympic team
External resources (12 links)
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