Alysa Liu wins Olympic gold
American ends 20-year drought with victory at Milano Cortina Games
Alysa Liu claimed the women’s individual figure skating gold at the Milano Cortina Olympics, ending a 20-year Olympic medal drought for American women in the event with a commanding free skate that drew a standing ovation at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. Liu delivered a near-flawless program of high-difficulty jumps, including a pivotal combination, and earned strong technical element marks alongside high program component scores for skating skills, transitions and musical interpretation. Judges and coaches lauded her poise, maturity and consistency under pressure.
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto took silver and compatriot Ami Nakai won bronze after a closely contested competition in which top contenders from Japan and South Korea remained within reach until the final group. Liu’s performance combined technical ambition with stability, allowing her to edge ahead on overall scores despite tight margins.
The victory capped a remarkable comeback for Liu, who shocked the skating world by retiring at 16 after the 2022 Beijing Games, citing burnout and the desire to pursue other interests. She returned two years later with a clearer perspective, took charge of her training and programs, and captured the world title in Boston last year. In Milan she added the individual gold to the team gold she helped secure earlier in the Games.
Analysts said Liu’s season-long improvement in consistency was decisive; where others faltered under risk, her balanced strategy of executing difficult elements reliably paid off. Coaches credited meticulous preparation and mental resilience, while Liu herself praised her training team and support network for facilitating her return to top form.
The win is widely seen as a milestone for U.S. women’s skating, signaling renewed competitiveness on the international stage and providing momentum ahead of future championships. For fans and fellow athletes, Liu’s journey—from early retirement through a world title to Olympic champion—resonated as both a personal triumph and a broader narrative of recovery and growth in elite sport. The audience’s prolonged applause and emotional scenes in the kiss-and-cry underscored the significance of the moment for Liu, her team and American figure skating.
