Alysa Liu delivered a historic performance at the recent Winter Olympics in Milan, capturing gold in the women’s singles competition and ending a 24-year drought for American women winning gold in individual figure skating. Liu’s journey showed that dedication, creativity, and taking charge of her own path can leave a lasting impact, making students reflect on their own challenges and passions.
The women’s singles competition was held at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Feb. 17 and Feb. 19, with 29 skaters from 22 different countries competing. Liu entered the free skate in third place after scoring 76.59 points in the short program. She then delivered a nearly flawless long program, earning 150.20 points in the free skate, which moved her into first place overall.
Her free skate combined seven clean triple jumps, complex spins and intricate step sequences. Throughout the routine, she maintained a relaxed, confident presence that made it thrilling for students to watch. “I like how she smiles a lot,” sophomore Sherlyn Zhu said, “just the way she spins around on the ice makes me happy; it inspires me to live life.”
As a young skater, Liu trained intensely from an early age, starting at five-years-old and practicing up to 12 hours a day. She was under strict expectations from her coaches who often dictated her training schedule, what she ate and what she wore. Liu described this experience as an “abnormal childhood.”
After stepping away from skating following the 2022 Olympics, Liu explored personal interests and hobbies outside skating. She spent time experimenting with music for future programs, developing creative choreography ideas and spending time away from the rink to focus on other pursuits.
Liu came back to competitive skating with a new plan that prioritized creative control and personal well-being. Her decision to focus on passion and balance encouraged students to think about how they manage their own activities and interests. “She inspires me to be myself and enjoy what I’m doing, especially because I do dance. It’s an art form where you can lose yourself if you don’t passionately love it,” senior Amelia Kaib said.
Liu’s comeback also reflects her broader impact on the sport by openly discussing mental health, the pressures young athletes face and the importance of taking breaks. Sophomore Mariam Mohammad said that Liu’s journey influenced her return to writing, after stepping away in middle school because she felt pressure to write every day. “That inspired me to revisit things that I quit, things that I never thought I would join again,” Mohammad said.
Liu’s impression on teenagers at the Olympics extended beyond her skating into her personal style, including her frenulum “smiley” piercing and signature “halo” hair with bleached horizontal stripes she adds each year, like tree rings marking growth. Her bold style emphasized that individuality can shine just as much as skill. “I really, really, really, like her hair. I’m thinking of doing something similar,” Zhu said.
