Alysa Liu Clinches Olympic Figure Skating Gold, Ending U.S. 24-Year Drought

MILAN, Italy — American figure skater Alysa Liu won the women’s singles gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, delivering a near-perfect free skate to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park” and scoring 226.79 points to surpass Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, who took silver, and Ami Nakai, who earned bronze at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. Liu, 20, also claimed a team event gold earlier in the Games, marking a historic double triumph for the United States.

Liu, who was third after the short program, skated elegantly and with technical precision in the final round, executing seven triple jumps and captivating judges and fans. Her performance brought the U.S. its first women’s Olympic gold in individual figure skating since Sarah Hughes in 2002, ending a 24-year gap in the discipline.

The Californian’s journey to the top of the Olympic podium follows a dramatic pause in her career; she retired at 16 after burnout following the 2022 Winter Olympics, only to return to competitive skating with renewed focus and control over her music and costume choices. Liu went on to win the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships before the Olympic Games.

In the free skate’s tense closing moments, Liu watched from the Kiss and Cry area as rival skaters completed their routines, her lead holding firm as final scores were announced. Broadcast footage showed her visibly elated as she embraced coaches Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali after her performance.

Her victory was part of a strong showing for U.S. figure skaters in Milan, with teammates competing in the final rounds and contributing to Team USA’s overall prominence at the Games. Liu’s gold medal has been widely celebrated as a comeback story and a milestone for American figure skating.

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