DelaneyJackson

At just 20 years old, American athlete Alysa Liu competed in the Winter Olympics for the second time, after previously setting her skates to the side and retiring from the sport.

The 2026 Winter Olympics took place in Italy, specifically Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Residing on the American figure skating team, along with Liu, are notable performers such as Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito; the trio refers to themselves as the “Blade Angels.” The team brought in new talent from across the United States.

Liu stands out among the ice skaters who competed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics because of her alternative appearance. Her striped hair and smiley piercing give her a unique look that not many athletes display, especially while participating in their sport. 

Her image was one of the aspects that made people gravitate towards her, as it showed them a skater who didn’t like to conform to all of the standard rules of her chosen sport, and instead choosing to remain as true to herself as possible. “The first thing I noticed was her hair. I thought it was really inspiring how she doesn’t conform to societal norms for how many believe athletes should look,” sophomore Liliann Foix, who used to figure skate casually, said.

Junior Kristie Avalos, an athlete who “would consider [herself] to have a unique style,” used to wrestle for Marian, admires Liu’s self-expression. “I do think that personal style holds a great amount of importance to me because it’s a creative outlet, and it helps inspire other people to dress a certain way,” Avalos said.

With the rise of sameness and a decline of individuality, Liu is a beacon of hope for those who would normally have to hide away their personality or style to fit the bounds of a particular sport. “I think when athletes see her, they do feel inspired to not compromise who they are for their sport because she has so much self-expression,” Avalos said.

Her story, though short, is nothing if not complex. From a young age, Liu was an impressive skater, becoming the United States’ youngest national figure skating champion when she was just 13 years old.

Three years later, she moved on to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics where she earned sixth place in the women’s singles event. At her next event, the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, she won a bronze medal and became the first American woman to reach the podium since 2016.

After building an impressive resume, Liu decided to give up skating forever due to feelings of burnout and her desire to live a normal life. Her break from skating allowed her to begin her college journey and various other activities, according to Elle Magazine.

While skiing with her friends, Liu began to long for the ice once more. She decided that she would go back to skating. However, she would follow her own rules. From now on, Liu would be in charge of everything— from what she wore to the songs she played during performances. “I appreciate her technique while still being able to tell the story she wants to convey,” Foix said.

This year, in the Winter Olympics, Liu was one of the most popular athletes who competed. Her celebrity status among social media users encouraged more young people to view the Olympic Games. “My mom and I always tune into the Winter Olympics when it comes around. This year, we were especially interested in Alysa Liu,” Foix said.

Before even competing in the Olympic Games, Liu decided to use her platform for good. In an interview with ABC10, she discussed the current political issues within the United States. “There’s so many protests that are going on, and I’ve attended. […] Coming from a family of immigrants, I think immigrants deserve rights,” Liu said. Her firm stance in support of immigrants made her stand out as a role model for the young people who look up to her.

Liu has assisted the team of American skaters in winning a first place position— her first Olympic gold medal ever— in the group event on Feb. 8. This achievement is proof of Liu’s skill as a figure skater, despite the fact that her break was something that not many athletes could have come back from. It set the scene for further victories in her 2026 Olympic career.

In the women’s singles event, held on Feb. 19, Liu made history once more by winning the gold medal. Her performance, which used the song “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer, was a groundbreaking expression of her talent. Liu became the first American to win the title of first place in this very event since 2002 champion Sarah Hughes, according to the New York Times.

Liu extended her support to the other figure skaters who placed in the top three for the women’s singles. When Japanese skater Ami Nakai won bronze, Liu immediately jumped up to hug and congratulate her. This made her stand out even more as an athlete who prioritizes good sportsmanship above winning competitions.

This win showed girls all across the country that they could achieve something if they put their minds to it. Sports traditionally focus on the male athletes competing, which made Liu’s performance all the more monumental. Having a young female athlete with so many fans back home rooting for her victory could inspire the next generation of girls who want to continue on to become professionals in their chosen sports.

Liu’s story is also proof that when people prioritize their own needs, they will succeed and advance further than ever before. Being in charge of her figure skating career brought back her love for the sport and showed athletes that they will be able to perform at their best if they do things their own way— just like how Liu did.

In an interview after winning her gold medal during the women’s singles, Liu made a statement. “Winning isn’t all that, and neither is losing. What matters is the input and the journey,” Liu said.

Despite the hardships she has faced as a young figure skater, Alysa Liu has built a platform based on her hard work, skill and talent that not many can compete with. She has shown that she is capable of leading her team to victory and earning achievements of her own.