Alysa Liu’s Winter Olympics journey: two golds, one back
Alysa Liu showcased her exceptional talent at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, achieving an impressive double gold medal haul – though she ultimately returned one of the medals, reports BritPanorama.
The 20-year-old American figure skater first secured gold in the Team Event, followed by a remarkable performance in the individual competition. This victory marked a significant milestone for American figure skating, as it was the first time in over two decades that a US woman claimed the individual title.
However, Liu’s celebration took an unexpected turn when her first medal fell apart during the festivities. “I was just jumping up and down, as one does to celebrate, and it just dropped,” she explained in a candid interview. “It just literally fell off of the ribbon. It got very scratched up, pretty dented.”
She was not alone in her disappointment; fellow athletes, including American skier Breezy Johnson, also reported similar issues with their medals. Liu expressed a desire to retain her damaged medal, asking officials if it could simply be repaired. “I actually liked it when it was off the ribbon, but that’s not allowed,” she said.
This remarkable journey commenced after Liu stepped away from competitive skating post-2022 Beijing Games, citing burnout. She made a successful return to the ice two years later, and at Milano Cortina, she achieved her career-best score of 226.79 in the individual event, impressing audiences with a free skate set to a rendition of Donna Summer’s ‘MacArthur Park.’
Liu is part of a trio known as America’s ‘Blade Angels,’ alongside fellow skaters Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito. Looking ahead, she has made it clear that retiring again is not on her agenda. “I have no plans to leave (figure skating), yet. I can’t imagine not skating next year,” she told NBC.
During an interview, Liu remarked on her perspective regarding her recent successes. “These titles are huge, but I don’t want them to overshadow who I am and what I do and what I am all about. Winning isn’t all that, and neither is losing,” she stated. This phase of her career has encouraged her to embrace her identity beyond her accolades.
Through her time away from the sport, she has discovered her creative inclinations, asserting her own unique style and vision in figure skating. “I love choreography and music and I do it on my own terms. No one tells me what to do,” she concluded.
In the world of competitive sports, where triumphs can quickly blur into pressure, Liu’s journey offers a keen reminder: the essence of sport transcends medals and titles, often rooted in personal expression and self-discovery.
