The women’s figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics has been filled with dramatic performances and emotional storylines, but one of the most personal moments came off the ice when Alysa Liu spoke candidly about the presence of her family in the stands, particularly her siblings, who were watching her compete in person for the first time.
Liu’s latest outing at the 2026 Winter Olympics was on February 17 in the qualification round of the women’s short program. She delivered a stunning performance on Laufey’s ‘Promise,’ securing 76.59 points and earning a third-place finish.
Fresh off a strong short-program performance that kept her firmly in medal contention, the American pushed back against suggestions that having loved ones present in the stands could be a distraction.
Speaking after her performance, the 20-year-old opened up about why seeing her siblings in the crowd was more special for her, explaining that it carried unusual emotional weight because they had never attended one of her competitions.
“I didn’t see my siblings really much last time when I was a skater, and they never came to a competition. So the fact that this is the first time they are seeing this program as well, it was actually very special,” said Alysa Liu.
Liu further spoke about their presence at the World Championships and dismissed the ‘family distraction’ notion, adding:
“No, they have school; they are skipping school for this. Worlds is not big enough for them. And no, my family is not a distraction. My family and my friends, they’re the only reason why I’m here, and they support me. I would never call them a distraction.”
Alysa Liu opened up about how the 2026 Winter Olympics feels different from her first
For many Olympians, a second trip to the Games offers familiarity. For Alysa Liu, however, the 2026 Winter Olympics have felt like an entirely new experience, emotionally, personally, and professionally.
The US figure skater, who first appeared on the Olympic stage as a teenager during the pandemic-affected Games in the 2022 Games, says the contrast between then and now is impossible to overstate. Describing how this Olympic journey feels more meaningful and joyful, she said:
“Genuinely, I could not even describe how different it is. Just the fact that my family and friends are here, the fact that there isn’t COVID, the fact that I’m here with programs that I love and I’m proud of to show the people and wear dresses that I love. I’m super confident in myself and everything. It goes beyond my skating. I’m really glad that I got this stage that I am on right now,” said Alysa Liu.
Up next, Alysa Liu is scheduled to compete in the final of the women’s short program on Thursday, February 19.
Read More Tennis News:
1. When Do the “Blade Angels” Compete? Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito’s Olympic Schedule, Taylor Swift Introduction, Starting Times, and Where to Watch
3. Alysa Liu Reveals the Surprising Reason She Was Issued a New Winter Olympic Gold Medal
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