MILAN — The stunning performance from Alysa Liu that propelled her to victory in the women’s figure skating singles at the 2026 Winter Olympics will transcend the gold medal she won.
And the accolades.
And the fame.
So suggested Amber Glenn, one of Liu’s teammates.
‘This is going to make such a great impact on so many people’s attitude towards the sport,’ Glenn said after Liu triumphed Thursday, Feb. 19 at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Later Glenn added, ‘I think people will be able to see how she approaches the sport now versus before and see how much more successful it is now in a healthy way. And I’m hoping people can really learn from that.’
Liu, the 20-year-old American, became the youngest U.S. national champion at age 13. She finished sixth at the 2022 Winter Olympics at 16. Then, she walked away from skating.
The hiatus lasted two years.
The impact looks clear.
Repeatedly, Liu has said that winning an Olympic medal is not important.
What clearly is important is her relationship with figure skaters such as Glenn, who along with Liu and Isabeau Levito compromise the U.S. women’s figure skating team. On Tuesday, Feb. 17, Glenn appeared to be devastated after a subpar short program.
Liu comforted her.
‘She was in there … being so kind,’ Glenn said. ‘ … She is one of my closest friends. She’s one of the few people that knows what we’re going through, and Isabel as well.’
Glenn recovered Friday with a stirring performance in the free skate. And when Liu came off the ice after her own electric performance in the free skate, Glenn embraced her.
‘I was saying how proud …,’ Glenn said before stopping herself. ‘She was saying how proud of me she was.
‘She worked so hard and has such a great attitude about it. … I was just saying how this is going to make such a great impact on so many people’s attitude towards the sport.’