Who Is Alysa Liu? Meet the Olympic Skater Gliding Into Fans' Hearts

As the athlete prepares to lace up her skates for the women's singles short program Feb. 17 and the women's singles free skate Feb. 19, she's embracing Team USA's latest achievement.

"It's been such a treat," Alysa shared on Today Feb. 9. "After having a Covid Olympics, this one definitely feels really different and to be in the team event was extremely fun for me. I want to be in the team event every time now. There needs to be one in every competition, TBH!" 

While Team USA continues to compete for gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, keep reading to learn more about Alysa and her cool ice skating career.

What Events is Figure Skater Alysa Liu Competing in at Olympics 2026?

After Alysa hit the ice for the team event Feb. 9, she'll return Feb. 17 for the women's singles short program before competing again during the women's singles free skate Feb. 19.

Who is Figure Skater Alysa Liu?

Alysa, the oldest of five siblings, was born August 8, 2005, in Clovis, Calif., to parents Arthur Liu and Yan Qingxin. She revealed to Elle in February that her ice skating career began at 5 years old because her dad had been a fan of Michelle Kwan. 

A year later, she was competing on the ice. By 13, she became the youngest women's national champion in history, breaking Tara Lipinski's 1997 record. Alysa went on to win bronze at the 2022 World Championships and placed sixth at the Beijing Olympics.

"I graduated high school at 15, because everyone wanted me to graduate a year before the Olympics," she recalled, "so for a year I could just focus on training."

Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Why Did Alysa Liu Retire From Figure Skating After the Winter Olympics 2022?

Although Alysa said she "felt good" looking back at her accomplishments, her relationship with ice skating was complicated. In fact, she admitted to Elle that she doesn't remember much of her early career, which she attributed to "trauma, definitely, 100 percent."

Since stepping onto the ice as a child, she recalled having little autonomy in most aspects of her life.

"I didn't enjoy skating back then because I didn't make my own programs, I didn't design my own dresses—I was just following orders," she explained. "Ever since I was a kid, I was told stuff like, 'Don't eat that.' You can't drink water even, because of water weight."

Her feelings came to a head during the Covid pandemic, when she felt burnt out and lonelier than ever amid training.

"I lived everywhere but at home for a bit, and I grew to hate figure skating," she said. "All I wanted was to be with my family and friends at home, and live like a normal teenage girl."

"I felt like I was missing life all for this skating career that I didn't even care about," she added. "I didn't really have a dream of my own, except to be at home."

With historic achievements under her belt, Alysa was ready to say goodbye to the ice rink.

What Was Alysa Liu Up to After Retiring From Figure Skating?

After retiring, Alysa made the most of her time. She enrolled in college, focused on her friendships outside of figure skating and even hiked Mount Everest with her best friend.

"It was a crucial time in my life," she shared on 60 Minutes in January. "I was 16 and college was coming up. I wanted to do so much. I went to Nepal, and I trekked to Everest Base Camp. Me and my friends would do tons of road trips. I was really just livin' it up."

Why Did Alysa Liu Return to Figure Skating Ahead of the Winter Olympics 2026?

It was a ski trip to Lake Tahoe in January 2024 that ultimately inspired her to lace up her skates once again.

"I went through a whole year of school, and during winter break, I went skiing and I realized school was hard, but it was not challenging enough for me," Alysa explained to Cosmopolitan in January. "I got into other things, like fashion, but I never went to the gym. Skating gave me something to be strong for. I love having willpower."

For the athlete, her return felt right.

"I had to do it in the moment," she told NBC LA after winning her gold medal in Milan. "Two years ago, I went on that ski trip and I missed the adrenaline rush. And I needed to feel that again and that has brought me here. What I've experienced the past two years has been nothing short of just incredible."

And this time around, she's been choosing her outfits, skating routines and her schedule.

"Now I hang out with my friends all the time," she shared with the Associated Press. "I make weekend trips to see them. I can do whatever I want. Free range, no rules, for however long I want. I live at home now. I drive myself to the rink. You know, I'm on my schedule now.

Now, keep gliding down to see more moments from the 2026 Winter Olympics.