Olympic champion Alysa Liu withdraws from world figure skating championships

Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu has made the decision to withdraw from the upcoming world championships, a move that was expected following her historic win at the Winter Games where she became the first American woman in over two decades to claim a gold medal.

Originally scheduled to compete alongside her Olympic teammates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito at the world championships set to take place at O2 Arena in Prague starting on March 24, Liu’s absence has paved the way for Sarah Everhardt to take her place on the U.S. team after Bradie Tennell declined the opportunity.

At just 20 years old, Liu has already left a significant mark on the figure skating world. After retiring briefly following the 2022 Beijing Games, she made a triumphant comeback, capturing the world title in Boston last year before going on to claim the Olympic gold in Milan Cortina, marking the first time a U.S. woman had achieved this feat since Sarah Hughes in 2002.

Liu’s success in Italy didn’t stop there; she also played a crucial role in helping the U.S. defend its Olympic team title alongside Glenn. Known for her positive attitude and unique style, Liu has quickly become a fan favorite, breaking away from the traditional “ice princess” image with her distinctive haircut and piercing that have resonated with the alt, punk, and emo communities.

It is not uncommon for Olympic athletes to opt out of participating in world championships following the intense pressure of the Winter Games. This year, several other notable figures have also withdrawn from the event, including Olympic pairs champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara from Japan, the Italian pairs team of Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii, as well as Loena Hendrickx of Belgium, who struggled with injuries and placed 14th in the women’s event at the Milan Cortina Games.

As Liu takes a well-deserved break from competition, fans eagerly await her return to the ice, knowing that her talent and unique style will continue to captivate audiences around the world.

For more Winter Olympics news, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics.