The women’s singles figure skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics has become a defining moment for Team USA. American star Alysa Liu is now the country’s strongest hope to end a 20-year Olympic medal drought in women’s singles.
The last time a U.S. woman stood on the Olympic podium in this event was at the 2006 Turin Games, when Sasha Cohen won silver. Since then, American skaters have come close but failed to secure a medal. With Liu currently placed among the top contenders after the short program, the wait for a breakthrough could finally come to an end.
USA Women’s Singles Olympic Medal History
| Year | Athlete | Medal | Olympics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Sarah Hughes | Gold | Salt Lake City |
| 2006 | Sasha Cohen | Silver | Turin |
| 2010–2022 | — | No medals | Four Olympics |
| 2026 | Alysa Liu | Medal contender | Milan-Cortina |
The long gap has been a major concern for U.S. figure skating, especially considering the country’s rich history with legends like Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski, and Kristi Yamaguchi.
Alysa Liu Journey: From Breakthrough Talent to Olympic Leader
At just 20 years old, Alysa Liu has already built an impressive career. She became the youngest U.S. national champion at age 13 and later took a short break from the sport to focus on her mental well-being and education. Her comeback in 2024 changed everything.
Since returning, Liu has:
- Won the 2025 World Championship
- Claimed the Grand Prix Final title (2025–26)
- Helped Team USA secure gold in the Olympic team event
- Entered the 2026 Olympics as one of the top contenders
Her approach has also changed. Instead of focusing only on results, Liu has emphasized enjoyment and creative expression — a mindset that has improved her consistency under pressure.
Also see: 2026 Winter Olympics Women Single Skating Free Skating
Strong Position After Short Program
Liu delivered a confident performance in the short program, earning a personal-best international score of 76.59. She landed a difficult triple Lutz–triple loop combination cleanly and showed strong presentation.
She currently sits third, just over two points behind the leader — a small margin in figure skating that keeps the medal race wide open.
| Rank | Skater | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ami Nakai | Japan | 78.71 |
| 2 | Kaori Sakamoto | Japan | 77.23 |
| 3 | Alysa Liu | USA | 76.59 |
With the free skate still to come, Liu remains firmly in medal contention.
Also Read: Mari Fukada Wins Gold in Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle at Winter Olympics 2026
Why Liu Is USA’s Best Hope
Other American skaters in the field are outside the top medal positions, making Liu the country’s primary chance to end the drought. Her technical strength including high-value jump combinations and strong skating skills gives her the tools to challenge the leaders.
If she delivers a clean free skate similar to her World Championship performance, a podium finish is well within reach.
For Team USA, this is about more than just one result. A medal would mark the country’s first women’s singles podium finish since 2006 —a gold would be the first since 2002.
Liu’s comeback story, mental strength, and fearless skating have already made her one of the standout athletes of the Games. Now, she has the opportunity to turn that journey into a historic Olympic moment.
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