Liu Announces Hiatus
Alysa Liu, the Olympic figure skating champion, has announced that she will sit out the 2026-27 season. The 21-year-old, who secured two gold medals at the Milano Cortina Games in February, shared the news on social media, explaining that she needs time to reset and refine her skills. Consequently, she will not participate in the World Championships scheduled for March in Finland.[S1][S2][S3]
In her Instagram post, Liu explained that she wants to challenge herself in new ways and ensure her sport reflects her personal growth. She assured fans she will be back, rooting for her teammates in the meantime. In an interview with NBC, she said the decision makes sense logically, emotionally, and physically, and she will miss seeing international competitors but looks forward to future competitions.[S1][S2]
A Career of Comebacks
Liu's career has been marked by dramatic turns. A child prodigy, she became the youngest U.S. champion in 2019 at age 13. She retired in 2022 at 16, citing burnout, but returned in 2024, winning the world championship in her comeback year and then Olympic gold in 2026. She is the first American woman to win individual Olympic gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002.[S1][S2][S5]
Her Olympic victories included the team event alongside teammates like Amber Glenn and Ilia Malinin, and the individual event, where she defeated Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai. After her win, she went viral for asking about her lipstick, later applying Rare Beauty lip gloss. She has also become a Louis Vuitton ambassador and attended the Met Gala.[S2][S6]
What's Next for Liu and Skating
Liu was scheduled to compete at Skate America in November and the Finlandia Trophy, but those plans are now on hold. Her break follows a pattern of skaters taking time off after the Olympics, such as French skater Lorine Schild. The upcoming season will see other American skaters like Sarah Everhardt and Isabeau Levito competing in Grand Prix events.[S2][S5]
Liu's announcement has received encouragement from fellow skaters, including Amber Glenn, who expressed support. Her coaches, Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali, were involved in the conversation about her hiatus. She intends to come back for the 2027-28 season, aiming to enhance her artistic expression and technical abilities.[S2][S5]
