The United States’ Alysa Liu skates during the Women Single Skating Free Skating during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Capital Indoor Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Beijing.
David Ramos/Getty Images/TNS
Even though I’m not much of a skater myself—the few times I tried resulted in something reminiscent of a duck on ice—my eyes have been glued to the 2026 U.S. women’s ice skating team.
I am constantly seeing the Olympics team, specifically skater Alysa Liu, in post after post on TikTok. Looking deeper into her story, I was shocked by the journey she has undergone.
Born in Clovis, California, Liu started skating at the age of five, and her talents were quickly noticed.
Liu invested an exorbitant amount of time into figure skating after being vigorously pushed by her father. She seemingly traded a “normal” childhood life for one of intense mental and physical demands.
With explosive growth, Liu went on to win the U.S. Junior Championship at the age of 12, followed by becoming the youngest U.S. women’s champion ever at only 13.
Liu’s dominance in the sport was evident. Setting record after record, she became known as the future of U.S. women’s skating.
Then, after placing bronze at the 2022 Olympics, Liu retired at the age of 16.
Her decision was a shock to the world; especially to critics, who viewed her as being in her prime with no reason to stop.
Liu put it plainly: she was burnt out after 11 years of grueling training and wanted to live that aforementioned “normal” life.
This explanation makes sense despite the judgement it brought.
I’ve been involved with sports most of my life, albeit not nearly to the level of Liu, and spending each day training how I did was significantly taxing.
Compared to the training one competing on the world stage undergoes, I can’t even begin to comprehend the level of anguish she experienced.
So, Liu stepped away from competitive skating.
Liu did activities seen as the norm for many others: going to school, spending time with friends and family, and even picking up a new sport: skiing.
Then, just as suddenly as she retired, she was back.
She credited a skiing trip in 2024 with reigniting her passion for skating, and this announcement came equally as stupefying to the public.
Despite taking two years off the sport and growing into an adult (both immense challenges in face of a comeback), she returned with fervor.
Reins in her hands, Liu trained at her own pace by devising her creative process and training regimen how she saw fit.
In a remarkable comeback, Liu won the 2025 World Championship and placed as the 2026 U.S. silver medalist, securing her spot in Winter Olympics history once more.
I can’t think of many other athletes who traveled down a similarly inspirational path. Only Jordan’s infamous “I’m back” comes to mind.
Liu is truly among greatness and continues to prove so as she skates.
The U.S. women’s figure skating team started competing at the Winter Olympics on Feb. 6 and will compete through Feb. 19. The Olympics are streaming on Peacock, where you can watch and support Liu as she makes a once-in-a-generation return.