Alysa Liu Ends 24-Year U.S. Drought with Olympic Skating Gold

Alysa Liu of the United States won the gold medal in women's figure skating at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday. Her victory marked the first Olympic gold for an American woman in the event since Sarah Hughes in 2002, ending a 24-year gap. Liu skated a clean free program to Donna Summer's 'MacArthur Park,' beating Japan's Kaori Sakamoto by nearly two points for silver and teammate Ami Nakai by eight points for bronze.

Background

Figure skating at the Milan Cortina Games wrapped up with the women's free skate on Thursday. Liu, now 20, came into the event as the 2025 world champion. She had stepped away from the sport for more than two years after placing sixth at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. At just 13, she won her first U.S. national title and became the third American woman to land a triple axel in competition. She also made history as the first U.S. woman to land a quadruple jump in a major event.

Liu's break from skating surprised many in the sport. She returned less than a year before the 2025 Worlds, where she took the title. That set the stage for her Olympic run. In the short program earlier this week, she held a slim lead over Sakamoto, the three-time world champion from Japan. Sakamoto has said this season might be her last, adding weight to the competition.

Team USA sent three skaters: Liu, Amber Glenn, and 18-year-old Isabeau Levito, known together as the 'Blade Angels.' Glenn started the short program in 13th place after a mistake but fought back strong in the free skate. Levito placed 12th overall after a fall early in her routine.

Key Details

Liu's free skate earned her top marks for technical elements and presentation. She landed her jumps cleanly, showing the jumps and spins that defined her early career. The crowd cheered loudly as she finished, connecting with the audience in the arena. Her total score put her well ahead of the field.

American Teammates' Performances

Amber Glenn delivered her best free skate of the season to 'I Will Find You.' She rallied from 13th in the short to fifth overall with 214.91 points. A hand down on her final triple loop was her only clear error, but she held the lead for much of the event before Japan's Mone Chiba moved ahead into fourth. Glenn's score of 147.52 in the free skate was a personal best for the season.

Isabeau Levito skated a clean routine overall but fell on her opening jump. Her total score came to 202.80 points, landing her in 12th place. The young skater showed grace despite the setback.

Japan's Sakamoto skated to Edith Piaf music, displaying her clean style. Small errors on jumps cost her the gold by 1.28 points in the end. Ami Nakai, the 17-year-old debutant, dropped from first after the short but held bronze with her 'What a Wonderful World' program. Mone Chiba finished fourth after under-rotations on several jumps in her 'Romeo and Juliet' skate.

"I'm very happy with how I skated. [It was an] unbelievable feeling when I was done skating. And when I was skating — hearing the cheers — and I felt so connected with the audience. I want to be out there again." – Alysa Liu

"I'm so proud of the resilience I showed. It has not been easy. I have had so many things standing in my way that I have to just work through. And so, I'm just really happy I was able to go out there and do what I love and enjoy it." – Amber Glenn

What This Means

Liu's gold brings the U.S. back to the top in women's Olympic figure skating after years without a medal in the individual event. The last U.S. woman to medal was Sasha Cohen with silver in 2006. This win highlights Liu's growth from child prodigy to Olympic champion. Her return from retirement shows how athletes can step away and come back stronger.

For Team USA, the results mix triumph with promise. Glenn's fifth place signals her potential after overcoming short program troubles. Levito's 12th shows room to build for future events. Japan dominated the podium with silver and bronze, continuing their strength in the sport. Sakamoto's possible farewell adds an emotional layer to her silver.

The victory shifts attention to U.S. skating's future. Liu's technical skills, like her triple axel and quad, set a bar for younger skaters. Glenn and Levito gain experience from the high-stakes event. Organizers noted strong crowds and energy in Milan, boosting the sport's profile. Liu's joyful style on ice drew fans, making her a standout figure heading into the off-season.

Skating officials will review scores and performances in coming days. Liu plans to keep competing, based on her post-event comments. Her family, including dad Arthur, watched from the stands as she climbed the podium. The medal ceremony capped a day of tight races and personal stories from all competitors. U.S. fans celebrate the end of the long wait, while the sport looks ahead to new rivalries.