Alysa Liu Shares Her Thoughts as She Waited and Watched

Alysa Liu Captures Gold in Figure Skating at Milan Cortina Olympics

Alysa Liu has made headlines at the Milan Cortina Olympics, not only for her impressive performance but also for her heartfelt sportsmanship. The 20-year-old UCLA student clinched the gold medal in the women’s figure skating final on Thursday, after initially entering the competition in third place. Liu dazzled audiences with her routine set to Donna Summer’s "MacArthur Park," culminating in a score of 226.79 points, placing her at the top of the podium ahead of silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto and bronze medalist Ami Nakai.

Following her performance, Liu experienced a tense wait as she watched Sakamoto and Nakai take to the ice. The final moments were crucial, as Liu aimed for the United States’ first gold medal in women’s singles figure skating since 2002 and the first medal of any kind since 2006.

When asked about the anticipation during this wait, Liu expressed her support for her fellow competitors. "I’m thinking, I want them to do really well," Liu said. "I love those girls. Ami’s so cute, and it’s her first Olympics. She’s only 17. She killed it. She’s so strong. And, I love that. Kaori, this is her last season, so watching her was so special to me."

Ultimately, Liu’s score remained unchallenged, securing her victory and highlighting her journey. The gold medal marks Liu’s second of the Milan Cortina Olympics, as she previously won gold in the team event. "If I had a nickel for every gold medal I have here," she humorously remarked, "I would have two!"

A native of Oakland, Liu became the youngest U.S. figure skating champion at age 13. After competing in Beijing at 16, she took a two-year hiatus to immerse herself in backpacking and studying psychology at UCLA. Liu emphasized that this break provided her with a new perspective. "Honestly, it was more than just work, it was experience," she noted, reflecting on her challenging prior skating experience.

"I love psychology," Liu added. "All I want in my life is human connection and, damn, now I am connected with a hell of a ton of people."

The Milan Cortina Olympics will run from February 6 to February 22, with the Winter Paralympics set for March in Italy. Meanwhile, the next Olympic Games will take place in Los Angeles in 2028. The LA28 Olympics Opening Ceremony is scheduled for July 14, 2028, with events concluding on July 30. This will mark a historic third time the Olympics have been hosted in Los Angeles, while it will be the city’s first time hosting the Paralympic Games.