Alysa Liu of the United States reacts to her score after competing in the women's figure skating free program at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) MILAN (AP) — Alysa Liu probably cared the least of all the women in figure skating at the Milan Cortina Olympics about winning the gold medal.

Fans raved about the star's Olympics return, calling her an example of what can go right when you chart your own course.

Alysa Liu carries U.S. gold hopes as women’s figure skating heads into its final night at the Milan Cortina Games

Alysa Liu won the first women's figure skating gold medal for the United States in 24 years at Winter Olympics in Milan on Thursday.

On a night of American comebacks at the Milan Cortina Games, Alysa Liu delivered the U.S. its first women’s figure skating Olympic gold medal in 24 years. The 20-year-old Liu performed a near-flawless free skate Thursday to upstage Japanese rivals Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai.

Thursday at the Olympics was headlined by figure skater Alysa Liu snapping a 20-year American drought and the U.S. defeating Canada for women's hockey gold.

Thursday was a victorious day for Team USA at the Winter Olympics, with Alysa Liu ending a 20-year U.S. medal drought in women's individual figure skating and the women's ice hockey team defeating Canada.

American superstar Alysa Liu adds Olympic figure skating gold to her world title as she beats a standout field in the women's final.