Alysa Liu has etched her name into Olympic history after securing two gold medals at last month’s Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
The 20-year-old American became the first woman from the United States to capture individual figure skating gold in nearly a quarter of a century, whilst also contributing to her nation’s victory in the team competition.
Liu’s remarkable double triumph in Italy represents the crowning achievement of her career thus far, coming less than four years after she stepped away from competitive skating entirely.
The California-born athlete has already indicated her intention to pursue further glory at the 2030 Winter Olympics in France.
Despite her Olympic success, Liu maintains an unconventional philosophy when it comes to balancing athletics and personal relationships.
The champion skater insists she refuses to let training dominate her existence at the expense of meaningful connections.
“I pick hanging out with my friends over a session, and if that makes me a worse skater, so be it,” she told Teen Vogue, having recently appeared on the publication’s cover.
Alysa Liu has etched her name into Olympic history after securing two gold medals at last month’s Milan-Cortina Winter Games
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“I don’t care. I will jeopardise whatever.”
Liu reflected on her relaxed mindset heading into the Games, explaining that she would have been content regardless of the outcome.
“I would’ve been loving life outside of skating just as much [as winning gold medals],” she said. “But yeah, I’m really happy with how my life is right now.”
Alysa Liu has become a global figure following her exploits at the Winter Olympics
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Liu’s journey to Olympic glory has been anything but conventional.
At just 13, she claimed the US national championship, making her the youngest athlete ever to hold that title.
She competed at the Beijing Olympics in 2022 aged 16, subsequently earning a bronze medal at the World Championships that same year.
However, the young skater then made the surprising decision to walk away from the sport entirely in 2022.
Her return to competitive skating came in 2024, and within a year she had secured the World Championship title.
Following her Olympic victory, Liu spent five days without any media obligations, reconnecting with friends and catching up on rest.
Alysa Liu won two gold medals at the Winter Olympics | GETTY“I skated twice just because I wanted to,” she recalled.
Approximately a week after her stunning free skate performance brought an end to America’s 24-year drought in women’s individual figure skating, Liu encountered Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe behind the scenes at the Today show on Monday.
The pair shared an embrace before posing for a photograph together.
When Liu offered the actor the opportunity to wear one of her medals, Radcliffe politely declined.
“No I can’t wear it, I’ll hold it,” he responded. “Wearing it feels like stolen valor.”
The British actor was effusive in his praise for Liu’s gold medal-winning routine in Milan, describing it as “the most joyful thing I’ve watched.”