Story perspectives

Alysa Liu Withdraws from Championships Amid Safety Concerns

3/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Alysa Liu, a U.S. figure skater, has withdrawn from the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.
The International Skating Union removed Alysa Liu from its participant list.
Sarah Everhardt took Liu's spot.
The incident echoes her past mental-health struggles that led to a temporary retirement after the 2022 Olympic Games.
Liu's father expressed concerns about her safety amid reported Chinese government surveillance during the Beijing Games in 2022.

History

Historical Context

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, held from February 4 to 20, faced scrutiny over athlete safety amid reports of government surveillance and mental health challenges. U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu's temporary retirement highlighted the pressures athletes endure. The International Skating Union's decision to exclude Liu from the World Figure Skating Championships underscores the urgent need for enhanced mental health support in competitive sports.

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Story summary

Alysa Liu, a U.S. figure skater, has withdrawn from the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.
The International Skating Union removed Alysa Liu from its participant list.
Sarah Everhardt took Liu's spot.
The incident echoes her past mental-health struggles that led to a temporary retirement after the 2022 Olympic Games.
Liu's father expressed concerns about her safety amid reported Chinese government surveillance during the Beijing Games in 2022.

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