U.S. Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu has announced that she will not participate in the upcoming world figure skating championships set to take place later this month in Prague. Although Liu is the defending world champion, her decision was anticipated by many in the figure skating community, especially following her historic performance at the Winter Olympics.
At just 20 years old, Liu made headlines when she became the first American woman to win gold in Olympic figure skating since 2002. The 2026 world championships occur roughly a month after her remarkable achievements at the Milan Cortina Games, where she celebrated her victory through numerous interviews and media appearances.
This isn’t Liu’s first instance of prioritizing her personal time and mental health over competitive pressures. After making a name for herself as the youngest woman to win the U.S. championship at only 13, Liu stepped away from skating at 16, citing the demanding nature of the sport. “It felt like a job,” she explained in an interview last year, reflecting on her retirement. Liu later returned to the sport, reuniting with her coaches while also pursuing her studies at UCLA, which led to her triumph at the world championships in Boston last March — a significant milestone for American female figure skaters.
Liu’s recent Olympic success included winning gold in both team and singles categories, making her the first To achieve this since the early 2000s, an achievement that has not only strengthened her own legacy but has also inspired a new generation of skaters. As she steps back from the competition stage, the USA roster in Prague will see Sarah Everhardt stepping in for Liu, alongside teammates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito, famously known as the “Blade Angels.”
The world figure skating championships commence on March 24 at the O2 Arena in Prague, continuing to be a platform for emerging and established talents in the sport. Liu’s journey showcases both personal growth and the significance of mental health in athletics, setting a powerful example for future competitors.