Alysa Liu's Father Admits Training Mistake Before Her Olympic Gold Triumph
Team USA figure skater Alysa Liu's stunning double gold medal victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics was preceded by a challenging journey, marked by a critical admission from her father regarding her early training. After finishing sixth in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and retiring at just 16, Liu made a triumphant return to the ice, securing gold in both the team and individual events this year.
Father's Regret Over Relocation Decision
In an interview with USA Today, Arthur Liu, Alysa's father, openly discussed a pivotal mistake he made in her career. "In retrospect, I feel I made a mistake," he confessed, referring to his decision to relocate Alysa to Colorado Springs months before the 2022 games, instead of allowing her to remain at their family home in Northern California. He added that this move caused her to "start to hate skating and stuff until she quit."
Arthur, a single parent to five children while managing his law practice, explained the circumstances. "I took her to Colorado Springs, and I left her there," he said. "During that period of time, I wasn't there for her. She was upset, and she missed home." Drawing on his own boarding school experience at age 14, he initially believed she could adapt, but later realized the emotional toll it took.
Return to Skating on Her Own Terms
When Alysa decided to return to figure skating in June 2024, Arthur respected her desire for greater control over her training. He stepped back from his coaching role, allowing her to pursue her comeback independently. "She said, 'I'm coming back. I'm going to do my terms,'" Arthur recalled. "I was like, yes, go ahead and do it your own way."
This shift not only benefited Alysa's performance but also eased Arthur's responsibilities. "I'm just one person. I'm very tired by the end of the day," he noted, expressing relief at being able to focus more on his younger children. "You want me to be hands-off? That's great. Even though you hurt a little bit to hear that."
Path to Olympic Gold in 2026
Alysa's journey to gold was not without its hurdles. At this year's games, she initially placed third in the short program with a score of 76.59, trailing Japan's Ami Nakai (78.71) and Kaori Sakamoto (77.23). However, in a dramatic turnaround, she delivered a season's best free skate performance to Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park," scoring 150.20 points—nearly four points above her previous best—to clinch the gold medal.
This victory broke a 20-year drought for the United States in the women's individual figure skating competition, highlighting her resilience and determination. Arthur's admission underscores the importance of athlete autonomy and family support in elite sports, serving as a poignant backdrop to her Olympic success.
