Alysa Liu wins double gold at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics
Alysa Liu made history at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, becoming the first American woman to claim individual figure skating gold in 24 years, reports BritPanorama.
The 20-year-old also played a pivotal role in helping Team USA secure gold in the team event, marking a significant achievement for American figure skating in Italy.
Liu’s remarkable free skate to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite” earned her a total score of 226.79, just narrowly eclipsing Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto by fewer than two points. Liu’s triumph contributes to a notable legacy in the sport after two decades of American dominance.
Having retired from the sport in April 2022, she revisited her love for skating amid the challenges of the pandemic. “Once quarantine started, I was like, ‘Wow! This is what not skating is like.’ And I loved it so much,” she told The Guardian during her absence from competition. After some time away, she returned to the ice in 2024 with renewed determination and control over her training and performance.
The considerable financial investment made by her father, Arthur, who reportedly spent between $500,000 and $1 million on her career, is now paying dividends, with American athletes receiving $37,500 for each Olympic gold medal. Liu stands to gain around $75,000 from her double Olympic gold alone.
As her visibility continues to grow, her estimated net worth of around £373,290 ($500,000) is expected to rise further due to potential endorsement deals stemming from her Olympic success. Liu’s fame has led to a surge in her social media following, with her Instagram audience increasing by roughly seven million since the Winter Games.
Liu’s narrative is rooted in her immigrant heritage, as her father escaped China following the Tiananmen Square protests. She has been vocal about advocating for immigrant rights, reflecting her commitment to the values she holds dear. “I definitely do care what our country is doing,” she noted in a recent interview.
Her recent achievements have also generated interest in the correct pronunciation of her name; she shared with Newsweek that “Liu” is properly pronounced “Lee-oh,” though she does not mind how fans say it. Looking ahead, Liu is set to compete at the 2026 ISU World Championships in Prague, starting March 24.
The journey of Alysa Liu emphasizes that talent often flourishes against the backdrop of perseverance and support, a reminder of how fiercely the competitive spirit can transform lives.
