Alysa Liu Makes Olympic History With Gold In Milan As Scott Hamilton Hails A Defining Night For Figure Skating

It was a landmark evening for American figure skating, with Alysa Liu delivering a performance that instantly entered Olympic history. Sitting in third place after the short program, Liu rose to the occasion in the women’s free skate, producing a stunning routine that earned a total score of 226.79. The result secured her the gold medal and marked the first time in 24 years that a U.S. woman had claimed Olympic gold in singles figure skating.

Throughout her skate—and during the tense moments that followed as the remaining competitors performed—Liu appeared calm and centered. She had stated in advance that medals did not define her as an athlete, a mindset that seemed to free her from pressure. That approach allowed her to skate with confidence and clarity, delivering a near-flawless performance on the biggest stage of her Olympic journey.

After the dramatic conclusion, Olympic champion and longtime NBC Sports analyst Scott Hamilton took to social media to express his admiration for Liu’s achievement:

“WHAT. A. NIGHT!!!!” Hamilton wrote. “Congratulations Alysa Liu on the greatest achievement of our sport. You deserve it, and you’re a true inspiration.

“I could not be happier for every woman who competed at this Olympics. The future of figure skating is very bright!”

For Liu, the moment was less about titles and more about the experience itself. Following a strong 2025 season that earned her a place on Team USA, she leaves the Games with two Olympic gold medals, having already claimed gold in the team event earlier in the week.

“I was feeling calm, happy, and confident,” Liu said. “I’ve been having fun the whole time. This experience is really cool. I got to see my siblings and my friends the past two nights — we even had a late-night dinner together. It was super fun. I’m just so happy that I could bring Oakland to Milan.”

Liu also reflected on the message she hopes her story sends to people around the world who may be watching her path. Her career has followed an unconventional route—stepping away from the sport at 16, taking time for herself, and returning entirely on her own terms—a decision that now appears deeply rewarding.

“I guess it’s about doing things people tell you that you shouldn’t do. I’ve been doing that a lot,” Liu added. “But it’s also about finding a really good team. I’m so grateful — I have such a great support system around me, friends who really hold me down. No matter what happens in life, I think I have a very beautiful life story, and I feel really lucky.

“I’m glad that now there are a lot of people watching me, so I can show them everything I’ve come up with in my head and share my stories. I want to be a storyteller.