Story perspectives

Alysa Liu Returns to Olympics After Brief Retirement

2/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

Alysa Liu, an Oakland native, is set to compete in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, her second Olympic appearance.
She finished sixth at Beijing 2022 and won bronze at the World Championships, highlighting her standing in figure skating.
Liu briefly retired before returning to figure skating with a renewed perspective.

History

Historical Context

The 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, held from February 8 to 24, marked a significant turning point for American figure skating, following the Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan scandal. The U.S. Figure Skating Association introduced stricter regulations, enhancing athlete standards. This evolution is exemplified by Alysa Liu, who aims for success in the 2026 Olympics after a sixth-place finish in 2022 and a bronze at the World Championships.

1 of 2

Story summary

Alysa Liu, an Oakland native, is set to compete in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, her second Olympic appearance.
She finished sixth at Beijing 2022 and won bronze at the World Championships, highlighting her standing in figure skating.
Liu briefly retired before returning to figure skating with a renewed perspective.

1 / 2