Inspiring story of the day: “My dad supported me through everything” - How Alysa Liu turned childhood pressure, early retirement, and family love into an Olympic comeback

Alysa Liu ’s figure skating journey has taken her from becoming the youngest U.S. national champion at 13 to retiring at 16, stepping away from the sport for nearly two years and then returning to win Olympic gold in 2026. Behind that journey is her father, Arthur Liu , who supported her skating from the time she was five. But Alysa’s comeback was different from her first rise. After years of intense training and little time for a normal childhood, she returned because she wanted to enjoy skating again. Her story is as much about family and finding herself as it is about medals.