Following a chaotic period after her incredible gold-medal performance at the Olympics, Alysa Liu is choosing to step back from the rigorous training routine.
On Tuesday, the 21-year-old skater shared via Instagram that she will be sitting out the 2026-27 competitive year. Liu previously captivated audiences while capturing both team and individual gold medals during the Milano-Cortina Games this past February.
“To all my fans,
As everyone else reveals their new programs, I wanted to share that I won’t be participating in competitions this upcoming season. My goal is to continually push myself so my artistry and technique can progress. I believe it’s vital for my skating to mirror my journey as a person, so I’m taking this opportunity to reset, polish my skills, and focus on personal development.”
This decision represents Liu’s second major hiatus from competitive skating. At just 16 years old, she stepped away from the sport following a seventh-place finish at the 2022 Winter Games, before making a comeback that culminated in her gold-medal triumph this season.
However, her supporters can rest easy, as she promised on Tuesday that this is not the end of her career.
“Have no fear, I will return, and during my time off, I’ll be cheering on my fellow skaters everywhere,” she shared. “See you all very soon!”
Although Alysa Liu is stepping away temporarily, she has promised a comeback to the ice.
(Steve Christo – Corbis via Getty Images)
With her victory, Liu made history as the first female singles skater from the United States to claim Olympic gold since Sarah Hughes achieved the feat in 2002.
Her triumph, paired with her spirited, joyful attitude and distinct skating flair, turned her into an international star, leading to numerous opportunities and a highly active schedule off the rink.
She opted out of the World Championships in March, which occurred only two months after her Olympic journey ended. Instead, she participated in the far more relaxed Stars on Ice tour during the spring. Until her announcement on Tuesday, her plans regarding the upcoming competitive season had remained uncertain.
Earlier in May, she had even expressed to USA Today, “I’m genuinely looking forward to competing next season.”
Ultimately, taking a step back proved to be the right move for her. After navigating an incredibly demanding Olympic year, and with countless paths open to her at age 21, her decision to pause is entirely understandable.
