As the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics officially commence, American figure skating sensation Alysa Liu has completed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the sport’s history. Just two years after walking away from the ice at age 16, the reigning World Champion is back on the Olympic stage, leading Team USA’s “Blade Angels” with a new perspective and a “halo” in her hair.
On 6 February 2026, Liu took to the ice for the women’s short program in the Olympic team event. Delivering a poised performance, she earned a score of 74.90, placing her at the top of the leaderboard for much of the session before being narrowly overtaken by Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto. Her return to the Olympic spotlight follows a dominant 2024–25 season where she made history as the first American woman to win a World title since 2006.
The Road to Milan: Retirement and Return
Liu’s journey to these Games was anything but linear. After finishing sixth at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she stunned the skating world by announcing her retirement, citing a desire to live a “normal” teenage life. During her hiatus, she attended classes at UCLA and even travelled to Mount Everest, completely distancing herself from competitive training.
The comeback began in March 2024, when Liu announced she had rediscovered her love for the sport on her own terms. Unlike the grueling, rigid schedules of her early career—which saw her become the youngest U.S. Champion in history at age 13—”Alysa 2.0″ has adopted a more balanced approach, training at the Oakland Ice Center with a focus on personal fulfillment over podium pressure.
Style and Substance on the Ice
Beyond her technical prowess, Liu has become a “maverick” of the 2026 Games for her unique aesthetic and leadership. She is credited with coining the nickname “Blade Angels” for the U.S. women’s squad and has garnered significant media attention for her “halo” hair—distinctive blonde stripes that have become her signature look in Milan.
While her technical arsenal remains formidable, including the triple Axel that made her a prodigy, analysts note that her current strength lies in her artistry and joy. “I finally feel in charge of my own journey,” Liu told reporters earlier this week. “What is there to lose?”
What’s Next for Liu?
With the team event underway, Liu is positioned as a primary gold medal contender for the individual women’s event later this month. Her primary competition remains the deep Japanese roster and her own teammates, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito. Regardless of the final medal count, Liu’s presence in Milan serves as a redefining moment for longevity and mental health in the high-stakes world of figure skating.
| Event Date | Competition | Status/Result |
|---|---|---|
| 6 February 2026 | Olympic Team Event (Short Program) | Score: 74.90 |
| March 2025 | World Figure Skating Championships | Gold Medalist |
| January 2026 | U.S. Figure Skating Championships | Silver Medalist |