After stepping away from competitive skating in 2022, Alysa Liu returned to the ice two years later. She won gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, giving the United States its first women’s singles title in figure skating in 24 years. The last American woman to win an individual Olympic gold in figure skating was Sarah Hughes in 2002.
The 20-year-old American figure skater dazzled the crowd at the Milan Cortina Games on Thursday. Liu started the free skate competition in third place but soared to first after an electrifying performance. Exuding joy, confidence and precision, she flawlessly landed jump after jump in her Donna Summer–themed free skate.
Liu’s gold-winning performance also ended a 20-year Olympic individual medal drought for American women in figure skating. The previous medal was Sasha Cohen’s silver in 2006.
Alysa Liu of the United States celebrates with the gold medal in the women’s free skate.Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
(Katie Stratman-Imagn Images)
Liu won two gold medals at the Milan Cortina Games. She earned her first gold on Feb. 8 in the team event, where her incredible short program skate helped Team USA win.
However, her first gold celebration was marred by an unexpected mishap. While the team celebrated and posed for photos, Liu jumped for joy, and the medal she was wearing suddenly detached from its ribbon. It caused the medal to fall and sustain dents and scratches.
The figure skating star later shared a video on Instagram showing the damaged medal. In a recent interview, Liu was asked about the incident. The Bay Area native revealed that she returned the medal to Olympics officials.
“Oh yeah, yeah, it broke off the ribbon,” she said. “They replaced it because apparently you have to wear it for media day.”
“It’s not the [original]. … This is a whole new one. They were like, ‘Give me your other medal.’”
Liu was not the only American Olympian to experience medal mishaps. Alpine skier Breezy Johnson, the women’s downhill gold medalist, and figure skater Evan Bates, a gold medalist in the team event, also encountered similar problems.
Olympic organizers immediately launched an investigation after learning that some medals were coming apart. Within days, a fix was announced, but officials have not disclosed the details. They just asked athletes with medals that had manufacturing defects or accidental damage to return them for repair or replacement.
“Milano Cortina 2026 confirms its commitment to ensuring that the medals, which symbolise the highest achievement in every athlete’s career, meet the highest standards of quality and attention to detail,” said Milan Cortina 2026 Communications Director Luca Casassa.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Olympics section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
News
Defense Move: Karmelo Anthony’s attorney is making headlines after unveiling new evidence following his client’s appeal filing
As the jury deliberates in the anthony karmelo trial murder trial, here’s a look at his defense attorney Mike Howard. Jurors have reached a verdict in the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony, the Texas teenager accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco last year, as per […]
New Evidence: Karmelo Anthony’s lead defense attorney has unexpectedly released new evidence just after his client filed an appeal
As the jury deliberates in the anthony karmelo trial murder trial, here’s a look at his defense attorney Mike Howard. Jurors have reached a verdict in the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony, the Texas teenager accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco last year, as per […]
Seven-Hour Hearing: The opening moments of Karmelo Anthony’s sentencing hearing are now dr@wing intense reaction acr0ss the country
McKINNEY, Texas – Karmelo Anthony, the teenager who fatally stabbed a fellow student during a high school track meet last year, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. The 19-year-old was convicted earlier Tuesday for the April 2, 2025, murder of Austin Metcalf, 17, at a stadium in the Dallas suburb of Frisco. LIVE Updates 9:15 […]
“My son is inn0cent”: Karmelo Anthony’s mother 3rupted in court moments after learning the punishment her son would face
A courtroom sketch shows Karmelo Anthony, center, at the defense table Thursday in McKinney, Texas, during his murder trial in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet last year. Closing arguments are set for Tuesday. Pat Lopez/AP AP — A teenager who fatally stabbed a competitor at a Texas high school track meet was […]
“My son did nothing wr0ng”: Karmelo Anthony’s mother appeared to lose c0ntrol in court after hearing her son’s sentence
A courtroom sketch shows Karmelo Anthony, center, at the defense table Thursday in McKinney, Texas, during his murder trial in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet last year. Closing arguments are set for Tuesday. Pat Lopez/AP AP — A teenager who fatally stabbed a competitor at a Texas high school track meet was […]
Appeal Battle: Karmelo Anthony’s mother released evidence supporting an appeal for her son, but Austin Metcalf’s twin brother responded with a simple “no” and a 10-minute bodycam video
‘Don’t look down!’ Austin Metcalf’s father tells Karmelo Anthony as he delivers victim impact statement. ‘This was never about race.’ DALLAS — The trial of 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony continues today in Collin County, after last year’s fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a Frisco ISD track meet. Jury selection began Monday, June 1. A […]
End of content
No more pages to load
