Alysa Liu claims gold at Milano Cortina Winter Olympics
Alysa Liu delivered an unforgettable moment at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, skating directly towards the camera after securing gold in women’s figure skating and declaring: “That’s what I’m f***ing talking about!”, reports BritPanorama.
The 20-year-old American followed her emphatic outburst by shouting “Yes!” to the delighted spectators. Liu’s raw celebration came after she produced a stunning free skate routine that saw her overtake rivals to claim the top spot on the podium.
The Californian athlete was visibly overjoyed, grinning broadly after edging out Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto for the title. Liu had entered the free skate programme sitting in third position after Tuesday’s short program, meaning she needed an exceptional performance to challenge for gold.
The American delivered precisely that, accumulating a total score of 226.79 points across both segments of the competition. Her victory margin over Sakamoto was narrow, with the Japanese skater forced to settle for silver after previously claiming bronze at the Beijing Games four years earlier.
It marked a complete reversal of fortunes from 2022, when Liu had finished sixth while Sakamoto stood on the podium. Speaking after her triumph, Liu revealed the personal significance of having loved ones watching from the stands. “My family is out there, my friends are out there. I had to put on a show for them,” she said.
The newly crowned Olympic champion also explained why her emotions were so visible throughout the performance. “When I see other people smiling, because I see them in the audience, I have to smile, too. I have no poker face,” Liu admitted. Her candid acknowledgment of wearing her heart on her sleeve resonated with the audience who had witnessed her unfiltered celebration moments earlier.
Liu’s gold medal represents a remarkable return to the sport after she stepped away from competitive skating as a teenager following the Beijing Olympics. The American had explained her decision to retire in an interview with NBC Sports in 2024, describing how all-consuming the sport had become. “I was so into skating that I really didn’t do much else. Skating takes up your whole life, almost,” she said, adding that her memories of that period felt like “a blur” of training and competing.
After enrolling at UCLA, Liu announced her competitive return in March 2024 following nearly two years away from the ice. Liu’s American teammates also featured in the final standings, with Amber Glenn producing a strong recovery in the free skate. Glenn, 26, had been reduced to tears after a mistake during the short program left her languishing in 13th position. However, her impressive free skate routine saw her climb eight places to finish fifth overall.
Fellow Team USA representative Isabeau Levito completed the competition in 12th position. The American trio’s combined efforts demonstrated the depth of talent within the US figure skating programme, though Liu’s gold medal undoubtedly stood as the headline achievement.
In the world of sports, the margins are often razor-thin, but Liu’s journey is a testament to resilience and the unpredictable nature of competition. Her story reminds us that heroes can be found in moments of doubt and redemption, and sometimes, it’s those loud, honest celebrations that resonate the most.
