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Alysa Liu is the new Olympic women’s figure skating champion. Even she couldn’t have predicted this outcome when she retired from competitive skating at 16 only to return two years later. Now 20, Liu says all she wants in life is “human connection,” and she plans to use her...

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When she came back to the sport, Alysa Liu didn’t allow skating to take over her life. Now, she’s an Olympic gold medalist. Team USA | U.S. Figure Skating
2:18

When she came back to the sport, Alysa Liu didn’t allow skating to take over her life. Now, she’s an Olympic gold medalist. Team USA | U.S. Figure Skating

The Players’ Tribune

46,916 views • 6 months ago

Alysa Liu, Olympic figure skating champion and TIME100 Sports honoree, almost retired from the sport in 2022 shortly after competing at the Beijing Winter Olympics. This year, she won Olympic gold at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. See the full TIME100 Sports list here:
0:21

Alysa Liu, Olympic figure skating champion and TIME100 Sports honoree, almost retired from the sport in 2022 shortly after competing at the Beijing Winter Olympics. This year, she won Olympic gold at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. See the full TIME100 Sports list here:

TIME

64,852 views • 1 month ago

It was a stunning comeback. Alysa Liu retired at 16, stepped away from figure skating for two years, then returned. And now she is back on top as world champion.
0:55

It was a stunning comeback. Alysa Liu retired at 16, stepped away from figure skating for two years, then returned. And now she is back on top as world champion.

60 Minutes

14,970 views • 7 months ago

At 13, Alysa Liu became the youngest U.S. women’s figure skating champion in history. A few years later, she stunned the sport by walking away. Now 20, Liu is back on the ice and headed to the Winter Olympics next month. 60 Minutes, tonight.
0:21

At 13, Alysa Liu became the youngest U.S. women’s figure skating champion in history. A few years later, she stunned the sport by walking away. Now 20, Liu is back on the ice and headed to the Winter Olympics next month. 60 Minutes, tonight.

60 Minutes

84,743 views • 7 months ago

Olympian Alysa Liu made the bold decision to return to figure skating after a two-year break. She found coaches and told U.S. Figure Skating. Then she had to tell her dad…
0:42

Olympian Alysa Liu made the bold decision to return to figure skating after a two-year break. She found coaches and told U.S. Figure Skating. Then she had to tell her dad…

60 Minutes

31,910 views • 7 months ago

When Alysa Liu decided to return to figure skating, she did it on her terms — choosing her music, deciding how much to train, and eating what she wants to eat.
1:22

When Alysa Liu decided to return to figure skating, she did it on her terms — choosing her music, deciding how much to train, and eating what she wants to eat.

60 Minutes

17,123 views • 7 months ago

American figure skater Alysa Liu retired at 16, took two years off, and then returned to the ice. In her first season back, she won the women's figure skating title at the 2025 World Championships. Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano calls it "the biggest comeback in sports history."
3:26

American figure skater Alysa Liu retired at 16, took two years off, and then returned to the ice. In her first season back, she won the women's figure skating title at the 2025 World Championships. Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano calls it "the biggest comeback in sports history."

60 Minutes

57,158 views • 7 months ago

U.S. Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu spoke after her figure skating win about the importance of mental health. "I hope that, you know, with all this attention I can at least raise awareness about mental health in sports," Liu said in an interview. And when reflecting on her win earlier in the day, she emphasized that medals aren't what matters most to her. “I don’t need this,” she said, looking down at the medal around her neck. "What I needed was the stage, and I got that, so I was all good. No matter what happened, [I] would have been fine."
0:34

U.S. Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu spoke after her figure skating win about the importance of mental health. "I hope that, you know, with all this attention I can at least raise awareness about mental health in sports," Liu said in an interview. And when reflecting on her win earlier in the day, she emphasized that medals aren't what matters most to her. “I don’t need this,” she said, looking down at the medal around her neck. "What I needed was the stage, and I got that, so I was all good. No matter what happened, [I] would have been fine."

The Washington Post

159,099 views • 6 months ago

After retiring at 16, Olympian Alysa Liu chose to return to figure skating — but this time, she was in charge. After her father Arthur had reportedly invested up to $1 million in her career (and was understandably a bit sad when she retired), she wanted him to step back and let the decision be hers.
0:48

After retiring at 16, Olympian Alysa Liu chose to return to figure skating — but this time, she was in charge. After her father Arthur had reportedly invested up to $1 million in her career (and was understandably a bit sad when she retired), she wanted him to step back and let the decision be hers.

Kekius Maximus

571,805 views • 5 months ago

American figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu closed the Olympic Gala with a performance to pinkpantheress and Zara Larsson's "Stateside + Zara Larsson." ⁠ Liu is the 2026 Winter Olympic champion in both women’s singles and the team event as well as a big fan of PinkPantheress, having previously said that she hoped to one day dance to one of her songs. She even received some encouraging words from PinkPantheress herself via @sportsmentalhealthadvocate/IG.⁠ ⁠ 📹 via NBC Sports⁠
0:29

American figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu closed the Olympic Gala with a performance to pinkpantheress and Zara Larsson's "Stateside + Zara Larsson." ⁠ Liu is the 2026 Winter Olympic champion in both women’s singles and the team event as well as a big fan of PinkPantheress, having previously said that she hoped to one day dance to one of her songs. She even received some encouraging words from PinkPantheress herself via @sportsmentalhealthadvocate/IG.⁠ ⁠ 📹 via NBC Sports⁠

Pigeons & Planes

335,216 views • 5 months ago

Arthur Liu says the Chinese government targeted his daughter, Olympic champion Alysa Liu. "She posted news reports of the labor camps and the persecution of the Uyghurs in China... She was only like 11, 12 years old... And the Chinese government never forgot about her."
2:24

Arthur Liu says the Chinese government targeted his daughter, Olympic champion Alysa Liu. "She posted news reports of the labor camps and the persecution of the Uyghurs in China... She was only like 11, 12 years old... And the Chinese government never forgot about her."

State Armor

38,783 views • 2 months ago

Does Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu ever feel nerves? The figure skating sensation tells CBS News' Kelly O'Grady that she doesn't really feel nervous and explains how she's able to block out all the noise before she steps out onto the ice. "I really protect my peace," she said, highlighting how much she says no to.
0:50

Does Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu ever feel nerves? The figure skating sensation tells CBS News' Kelly O'Grady that she doesn't really feel nervous and explains how she's able to block out all the noise before she steps out onto the ice. "I really protect my peace," she said, highlighting how much she says no to.

CBS News

42,932 views • 6 months ago

“There is no ‘I’ in team.” Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu thanked the team that helped her prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she won an individual gold medal—four years after she originally retired from the sport. At the TIME100 Sports Gala on Thursday, where she was one of the honorees, Liu said, “I wouldn’t love my journey as an athlete as much as I do if it wasn’t for my incredible team.” See more highlights form the night here:
0:48

“There is no ‘I’ in team.” Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu thanked the team that helped her prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she won an individual gold medal—four years after she originally retired from the sport. At the TIME100 Sports Gala on Thursday, where she was one of the honorees, Liu said, “I wouldn’t love my journey as an athlete as much as I do if it wasn’t for my incredible team.” See more highlights form the night here:

TIME

133,389 views • 1 month ago

Here is Alysa Liu of #oakland in 2019. I just knew she would win gold someday. Milano Cortina 2026 Congrats to her first teacher Laura Lipetsky. U.S. Figure Skating ABC7 News
0:13

Here is Alysa Liu of #oakland in 2019. I just knew she would win gold someday. Milano Cortina 2026 Congrats to her first teacher Laura Lipetsky. U.S. Figure Skating ABC7 News

Lyanne Melendez

13,218 views • 6 months ago

A triple axel is one of the hardest, and most impressive, jumps in figure skating. Alysa Liu tells us about the extra challenges figure skaters face when pulling the jump off in competition. Liu is on the 2026 TIME100 Sports list:
0:45

A triple axel is one of the hardest, and most impressive, jumps in figure skating. Alysa Liu tells us about the extra challenges figure skaters face when pulling the jump off in competition. Liu is on the 2026 TIME100 Sports list:

TIME

527,816 views • 2 months ago

2012 silver medalist Maria Sharapova is in the house for women’s figure skating tonight. She chatted with NBC News about competing in the spotlight, her favorite Olympic memories and more.
2:25

2012 silver medalist Maria Sharapova is in the house for women’s figure skating tonight. She chatted with NBC News about competing in the spotlight, her favorite Olympic memories and more.

Rohan Nadkarni

14,678 views • 6 months ago

Figure skating Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu returned to her hometown of Oakland, California, for a rally on March 12 celebrating her accomplishments. “I want to thank you all for showing up and showing out,” Liu said, after Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee presented her with the key to the city. “This is crazy.”
0:52

Figure skating Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu returned to her hometown of Oakland, California, for a rally on March 12 celebrating her accomplishments. “I want to thank you all for showing up and showing out,” Liu said, after Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee presented her with the key to the city. “This is crazy.”

The Washington Post

187,434 views • 5 months ago

At the age of 42, Deanna Stellato-Dudek is back to the sport she loves, figure skating ⛸️, & is about to compete at her first Olympic Games #MilanoCortina2026. The skater shares how online space & comments on the internet can be hard to navigate. ISU Figure Skating I Skate Canada / Patinage Canada
0:53

At the age of 42, Deanna Stellato-Dudek is back to the sport she loves, figure skating ⛸️, & is about to compete at her first Olympic Games #MilanoCortina2026. The skater shares how online space & comments on the internet can be hard to navigate. ISU Figure Skating I Skate Canada / Patinage Canada

The Olympic Games

17,543 views • 7 months ago

For my generation it was Mary Lou Retton.... For this generation it's Alysa Liu! Congrats Olympian🥇 🇺🇸 THE UNKNOWN STORY BEHIND THE GOLD — ALYSA LIU WRITES HER OWN AMERICAN LEGEND 🇺🇸 Tonight wasn’t just a medal ceremony. It was a moment the whole country will remember. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, 20‑year‑old Alysa Liu skated like fire and ice — a performance burning with joy, precision, and pure heart — and captured Olympic gold in women’s figure skating, the first American woman to do so in 24 years. 🥇🔥 She didn’t just skate. She soared. Under the Milano lights, every triple jump, every graceful spin, every breath she took spoke of resilience and comeback. The score flashed gold and America exhaled — from coast to coast. This wasn’t just athletic triumph — it was personal triumph. Liu’s story didn’t start at the Olympics. She became the youngest U.S. national champion at 13, and she was the first American woman to land multiple difficult jumps early in her career. After competing at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she walked away from the sport at just 16, seeking balance and life outside relentless training. She lived that life. She went to UCLA. She climbed mountains with friends. She rediscovered joy. Then she came back — on her own terms — to chase something bigger than medals: love for the sport. And she didn’t just return — she dominated. In 2025 she became World Champion, breaking a nearly two‑decade drought for U.S. women. Tonight, Alysa didn’t simply win gold. She showed the world that champions aren’t defined by uninterrupted success — they’re defined by resilience, happiness, and purpose. She skated not for expectation… but for joy. That’s the American dream in motion — bold, unapologetic, beautiful. 🇺🇸✨ Alysa Liu — you didn’t just win for yourself. You won for everyone who believed in second chances. You won for every dream that once felt too heavy. You won for the USA. 🇺🇸💫
4:34

For my generation it was Mary Lou Retton.... For this generation it's Alysa Liu! Congrats Olympian🥇 🇺🇸 THE UNKNOWN STORY BEHIND THE GOLD — ALYSA LIU WRITES HER OWN AMERICAN LEGEND 🇺🇸 Tonight wasn’t just a medal ceremony. It was a moment the whole country will remember. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, 20‑year‑old Alysa Liu skated like fire and ice — a performance burning with joy, precision, and pure heart — and captured Olympic gold in women’s figure skating, the first American woman to do so in 24 years. 🥇🔥 She didn’t just skate. She soared. Under the Milano lights, every triple jump, every graceful spin, every breath she took spoke of resilience and comeback. The score flashed gold and America exhaled — from coast to coast. This wasn’t just athletic triumph — it was personal triumph. Liu’s story didn’t start at the Olympics. She became the youngest U.S. national champion at 13, and she was the first American woman to land multiple difficult jumps early in her career. After competing at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she walked away from the sport at just 16, seeking balance and life outside relentless training. She lived that life. She went to UCLA. She climbed mountains with friends. She rediscovered joy. Then she came back — on her own terms — to chase something bigger than medals: love for the sport. And she didn’t just return — she dominated. In 2025 she became World Champion, breaking a nearly two‑decade drought for U.S. women. Tonight, Alysa didn’t simply win gold. She showed the world that champions aren’t defined by uninterrupted success — they’re defined by resilience, happiness, and purpose. She skated not for expectation… but for joy. That’s the American dream in motion — bold, unapologetic, beautiful. 🇺🇸✨ Alysa Liu — you didn’t just win for yourself. You won for everyone who believed in second chances. You won for every dream that once felt too heavy. You won for the USA. 🇺🇸💫

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132,773 views • 6 months ago