Alysa Liu Takes a Break from Competition to Focus on Growth
Alysa Liu, the reigning women's Olympic figure skating champion, announced she will not compete during the 2026-27 season. At just 21 years old, Liu made history as the first American woman to win Olympic gold in women's singles since 2002 at the Milano Cortina Games. She also contributed to the United States' gold in the team event. In a heartfelt post on social media, Liu expressed her decision to take a break from competition to refine her technique, which means she will miss the World Championships in Finland this March. She stated, "I always want to challenge myself in new ways, so my artistry & skating can evolve. It's important to me that my sport reflects my personal growth." Liu emphasized her commitment to recalibrating and fine-tuning her skills, assuring fans, "I'll be back, & in the meantime I'll be rooting for my teammates near & far." In an interview with NBC, she elaborated on her decision, noting that it makes sense both logically and emotionally. "I will miss seeing the international competitors at all the international competitions, but there will be more, so it's fine." This is not the first time Liu has stepped back from competitive skating. As a former child prodigy, she became the youngest U.S. champion ever in 2019 at the age of 13.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-08-26