Winter Olympics 2026: From retirement to Olympic gold medal: Alysa Liu’s key to success? ‘Take a break’

Alysa Liu won the gold medal in the women's figure skating at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games on Thursday. The gold is the first Olympic title Team USA has won in the competition in 24 years. The American explained how she's come from retiring at the age of 16 to Olympic champion, specifically focussing on the journey, not the destination.

Alysa Liu is the star of the moment at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games for Team USA.

On Thursday, the 20-year-old sensation secured Team USA's first Olympic title in women's figure skating in 24 years.

In the free skate session to conclude the competition, Liu impressed mightily and surged from third to claim gold with a career-best 226.79 overall.

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And after hanging the gold round her neck, Liu explained how she reached the top; by doing less, not more.

"Winning isn’t all that and neither is losing. It’s just something that happens, it’s an outcome," Liu told TNT Sports. "But what matters is the input and the journey.

"And I would say take a break. If you are stuck in something for so long, it’s not that good."

Snoop Dogg, Halle Bailey, Ilia Malinin LOVED Liu's 'awesome' routine

Video credit: TNT Sports

And Liu practices what she preaches. After making her Olympic debut at the age of 16 in 2022, Liu retired from skating citing her loss of love for the sport.

But she returned two years later and since returning to the rink, it’s clear she has rekindled that passion. She says retiring was "was the best thing I could’ve done for myself."

"Through retirement, I realised I am a little bit of a creative person and I have these ideas, I have my own sense of fashion, I’m a little bit stubborn with it," she said.

"And so, I came back to share all of my art and I love to dance, I love choreography, moving to music and I do it on my own terms. No one tells me what to do, and I take breaks, even now, and I think that’s the way to do it.

Watch: Liu reveals secret plan to deal with newfound fame after sensational gold

Video credit: TNT Sports

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And her rediscovery paid off in the biggest way possible, with a famous gold medal.

She adds the Olympic gold to her already expanding trophy cabinet, having already been crowned world champion.

The gold medal is the first for Team USA in women's figure skating since Sarah Hughes' gold at Salt Lake City 2002.

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