Olympic champion Alysa Liu takes break from figure skating

Alysa Liu, the reigning Olympic women's figure skating champion, has announced she will sit out the entire 2026-27 competitive season, confirming that she is stepping back from competition following her triumphant gold medal performance at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics earlier this year.

A champion's decision

Liu made the announcement publicly, confirming that she will not compete during the forthcoming season. While she did not give detailed reasons for the break, athletes at the peak of their careers often take time away from competition following major achievements such as Olympic gold to recover physically and mentally, reassess goals, or pursue other opportunities.

Liu first gained international attention as a teenager with a string of spectacular performances, and her Olympic victory cemented her status as one of the greatest figure skaters of her generation.

What comes next

The decision will leave a significant gap in the women's figure skating field for the 2026-27 season, as Liu had been widely expected to continue competing at the highest level after her Olympic success. Whether she plans to return in future seasons or is stepping back from competitive skating more permanently remains to be seen.