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
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.