Sport

Milan, Italy – Alysa Liu, at just 20 years classic, has etched her name into Olympic history, securing the gold medal in women’s figure skating at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Her victory ends a 24-year drought for the United States in this event, a testament to a career defined by both extraordinary talent and unexpected turns. Liu’s total score of 226.79, a personal best, propelled her to the top of the podium, surpassing Japan’s Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto.

Liu’s path to Olympic glory is anything but conventional. She became the youngest-ever U.S. Champion at the age of 13, a feat that immediately marked her as a skater to watch. However, she then announced her retirement from the sport at 16, citing burnout and a desire to focus on other aspects of her life. But the competitive fire proved too strong to extinguish, and she returned to the ice, ultimately claiming the world championships at 19 before reaching the pinnacle of her sport here in Milan.

The final free skate was a nail-biting affair, with Nakai, 17, pushing Liu to her limit. NBC figure skating analyst Tara Lipinski predicted before Nakai’s performance, “If she free skates this free skate clean, she will probably become the Olympic champion.” While Nakai delivered a fantastic performance, it was Liu who skated with an “overabundance of joy,” according to reports, captivating the audience and judges alike. Liu’s season-best free skate score of 150.20 sealed her victory.

“I just can’t process this,” Liu said after her win, visibly overwhelmed with emotion. “There’s no way.”

The competition also saw a poignant moment for Kaori Sakamoto, the reigning world champion, who announced her retirement prior to the Games. She finished with the silver medal, a fitting end to a distinguished career. American Amber Glenn, despite a challenging short program where she received zero points for an invalid element, showcased her resilience with a brilliant free skate, earning a score of 147.52 and finishing fifth overall.

A Historic Win for American Figure Skating

Liu’s gold medal marks the first for an American woman in Olympic figure skating since Sarah Hughes’ triumph in 2002. This victory is not only a personal achievement for Liu but also a significant moment for the U.S. Figure skating program, signaling a resurgence of talent and potential. The win is a culmination of years of dedication, perseverance, and a remarkable ability to overcome adversity.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Games continue to deliver compelling storylines, and Friday promises another day of exciting competition. The women’s 1,500-metre speed skating final at 10:30 a.m. ET is set to be a highlight, featuring Japan’s Miho Takagi, who with 10 Olympic medals, trails only Ireen Wüst for the most in speed skating history. Takagi is the favorite, having won silver in this event twice previously. Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida, a national hero after winning gold in the 3,000 and 5,000 metres, will also be a strong contender.

Friday’s Schedule: Speed Skating, Freestyle Skiing, and More

Beyond speed skating, the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe final (1:30 p.m. ET) will feature Team USA’s Alex Ferreira and New Zealand’s Finley Melville Ives as the favorites, following the retirement of defending Olympic champion Nico Porteous. Great Britain’s Gus Kenworthy, returning for his fourth Winter Olympics after coming out of retirement, adds another compelling narrative to the event.

The women’s short track 1,500 metres will be the final Olympic race for Italian legend Arianna Fontana, who has already secured 14 Olympic medals, making her the most decorated Olympian in Italy’s history across both Winter and Summer Games. The quarterfinals begin at 2:15 p.m. ET. Finally, the women’s ski cross final, scheduled for 7:10 a.m. ET, will showcase defending Olympic champion Sandra Naeslund of Sweden, Switzerland’s Fanny Smith, and Jole Gaili of Italy.

As the Milano Cortina 2026 Games progress, the stories of resilience, determination, and athletic excellence continue to unfold. The coming days promise further moments of drama and inspiration as athletes from around the world compete for Olympic glory.

What are your thoughts on Alysa Liu’s incredible comeback and gold medal win? Share your comments below and join the conversation!