UCLA’s Alysa Liu Claims Olympic Gold, Ending U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Drought After 20 Years
Milan, Italy – In a performance brimming with joy and precision, 20-year-old UCLA student Alysa Liu captured the gold medal in women’s single figure skating at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, marking the first U.S. woman to podium in the event in over two decades.[1][2]
Liu’s triumphant free skate on February 19 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena propelled her from third place after the short program to the top of the podium with a total score of 226.79 points. Her free skate alone earned 150.20, showcasing flawless triple lutz-triple salchow combinations and effortless choreographic sequences that captivated the crowd.[2]
A Fearless Performance Redefines the Sport
Liu entered the free skate with 76.59 points from her carefree short program, behind Japan’s Nakai and Sakamoto. As the final U.S. competitor and third-to-last skater, she exuded confidence during warmups, waving to spectators and delivering a routine marked by broad smiles and energetic flair. The arena erupted as she landed each jump triumphantly, ending with her family giving a standing ovation.[2]
“That’s what the f*** I’m talking about!” Liu shouted to the camera post-performance, bouncing off the ice to embrace her coaches while exclaiming, “That was so great!”[2]
Earlier, she told reporters, “I just like, can’t process this. There’s no way,” as she walked down the hallway, hugging fellow American Amber Glenn.[2] Commentators praised her as “fearless,” noting she skated “like she’s just playing on the ice,” free of tension and radiating passion – a stark contrast to the sport’s high-pressure legacy.[4]
American Teammates Shine Amid Challenges
Amber Glenn, 26, opened for the U.S. with a resilient free skate, nailing a triple axel despite a hand-down on her final loop. Starting from 67.39 after a short program error, she scored 147.52 in the free, totaling 214.91 and securing a strong finish.[2] Isabeau Levito, 18, placed eighth after the short program.[2]
Liu’s victory ends a 20-year medal drought for American women in Olympic singles, last achieved by Sasha Cohen in 2006.[4] It cements Liu’s status as a prodigy with a glittering resume: 2025 World champion, 2025 Grand Prix Final winner, 2022 World bronze medalist, and 2022 Olympian.[3]
| Skater | Short Program | Free Skate | Total | Final Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alysa Liu | 76.59[2] | 150.20[2] | 226.79[2] | 1st (Gold) |
| Amber Glenn | 67.39[2] | 147.52[2] | 214.91[2] | – |
| Isabeau Levito | – | – | – | 8th[2] |
Liu’s Journey: From Prodigy to Olympic Champion
Born in 2005, Liu burst onto the scene as a junior standout, earning World Junior bronze in 2020 and U.S. titles. Her personal bests include a 235.52 total at the 2020 U.S. Championships and a 150.97 free skate at the 2025 World Team Trophy.[3] After competing in the 2022 Beijing Olympics (6th place), she dominated the 2025-26 season with wins at Golden Spin of Zagreb and Budapest Trophy.[3]
For Milano Cortina, Liu selected “Promise” by Laufey for her short program and “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer for the free skate, blending artistry with technical prowess.[3] Her UCLA studies add another layer; the university celebrated her as a student-athlete turned Olympian.[1]
“She figured out how to compete without carrying the weight of it,” NBC analysts noted, highlighting her two-and-a-half-year hiatus before reclaiming dominance with a 2025 world title.[4]
Impact on U.S. Figure Skating
Liu’s gold revitalizes U.S. Figure Skating amid evolving judging systems and technical demands. Her ability to blend joy with quadruple-era jumps signals a new era, inspiring peers like Glenn, who landed one of the field’s most difficult elements, the triple axel.[2]
As the first American woman on the Olympic singles podium since 2006, Liu’s feat resonates beyond the ice, proving resilience and artistry can coexist at the highest levels.[1][4]
Post-medal, Liu reflected on her mindset: “I don’t need a medal. I just need to be here and show people what I can do.” That philosophy delivered gold, redefining expectations for future stars.[4]
In the medal ceremony, Liu stood tall, gold around her neck, as the U.S. anthem played – a moment etched in Olympic history.[1]