Alysa Liu did the United States proud with her historic run in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The 20-year-old won two gold medals in figure skating — in the team and individual competitions.
Liu was a driving force for Team USA, which finished first in the team event. The reigning World Figure Skating champion then went on to dominate the field in the women’s individual short program and free skate to secure her second gold medal.
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Liu rewrote the history books by becoming the first female American ice skater to win an individual gold in the Olympics since 2002. It was also the first Olympic medal in women’s singles figure skating for the U.S. in the last 20 years.
Alysa Liu of the United States celebrates with the gold medal in the women’s free skate during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang-Imagn Images)
Upon returning to the U.S., Liu addressed some confusion about her hometown. While multiple sources online stated that she grew up in Richmond, California, Liu clarified that she was actually raised in Oakland.
The two-time U.S. national champion is proud to be an Oakland resident. The admiration goes both ways, with the city also beaming with pride after Liu’s historic success in the Winter Games. So much so that the City of Oakland made an announcement on Thursday.
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“Join us as we celebrate Olympic Gold Medalist and Oakland’s own Alysa Liu at a special Celebration Rally at Oakland City Hall on Thursday, March 12 at noon (Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland),” the city posted on Instagram.
“Let’s come together as a community to honor her incredible achievement on the world stage! Alysa will be there in person.”
According to the post, the celebration is scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. PST. However, fans are encouraged to arrive as early as 9:00 a.m. to ensure they secure a good viewing spot.
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The city reminded that the space at the venue is limited and that it will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is free, but reservations will be limited to two tickets per person. Fans may register via a link provided on Oakland’s Instagram page.
Related: U.S. Figure Skater Alysa Liu Shares Bad News After Winter Olympics
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Olympics section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.