Milan, Italy — February 19, 2026: American figure skating sensation Alysa Liu delivered one of the most electrifying free skate performances in recent Olympic history to win the women’s figure skating gold medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Her stunning victory not only crowned her the Olympic champion, but also ended a 24-year gold medal drought for the United States in women’s Olympic figure skating.
A Historic Free Skate Performance
Liu entered the women’s free skate in third place after the short program, positioned to challenge for gold but competing in an exceptionally tight field. When she took the ice for her long program, she was calm, confident, and full of expression. Skating to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park,” she executed a technically demanding program with remarkable precision — including signature jumps and fluid transitions that thrilled the crowd and judges alike.
Her routine earned a free skate segment score of 150.20, one of the highest marks of the competition, and an overall total of 226.79 points — enough to secure the top spot on the podium ahead of Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto (silver) and Ami Nakai (bronze).
Breaking the Drought for Team USA
Liu’s gold medal marks the first individual women’s Olympic title for the United States since the legendary Sarah Hughes in 2002. The long-awaited victory represents not just personal glory for Liu, but a revival of American prominence in Olympic women’s figure skating.
At just 20 years old, she has already secured two Olympic golds at these Games — one from the team event earlier in the competition and another from her free skate performance — solidifying her status as one of the sport’s standout champions.
The Journey Back
Liu’s Olympic triumph carries extra significance because of her journey to the 2026 Games. After bursting onto the scene as a junior prodigy and competing at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she stepped away from competitive skating due to burnout. Her return to the sport in 2024, with a renewed sense of joy and artistic freedom, set the stage for this ultimate comeback — culminating in Olympic gold.
Her performance wasn’t just about technical excellence; it was an emotional showcase of resilience, creativity, and passion — qualities that resonated with fans and critics around the world.
Impact and Legacy
Liu’s Olympic free skate will be remembered as a defining moment in her career and in U.S. figure skating history. It showed a perfect blend of athletic prowess and artistic expression — a performance that enthralled audiences and judges alike, earning her a place among the sport’s elite.
As the 2026 Winter Games continue to unfold, Liu’s gold medal and unforgettable free skate stand out as one of the most compelling stories of resilience and triumph — a reminder of the power of determination on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
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