Alisa Liu Wins Gold for the U.S. in Figure Skating

Alisa Liu brought home a gold medal for the United States in figure skating on Thursday. This victory marks a notable comeback following issues related to Chinese espionage.

Liu clinched the gold in the women’s free skating final, effectively ending a two-decade medal drought and a 24-year absence of gold for American women in this particular event.

The last American woman to win an Olympic medal in singles figure skating was Sasha Cohen at the 2006 Turin Games. Before that, Sarah Hughes secured gold in 2002 at the Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

Throughout her performance, Liu executed every jump flawlessly, maintaining a radiant smile. She joyfully exclaimed, “That’s what I’m talking about!” and shouted a surprised “Holy!” while celebrating with her teammates.

Her total score reached 226.79 points, which included a free skate score of 150.20 points and a short program score of 76.59 points. This marked her highest free skate score of the season.

Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai approached Liu’s score soon after their own performances but ultimately fell short.

Liu’s triumph signifies not only a significant moment for U.S. figure skating but is also personal for her. She had been a target of Chinese spying due to her father’s political history. Arthur Liu, a refugee who played a role in the Tiananmen Square protests, faced intimidation related to his daughter’s rise in sports as the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics approached.

Arthur fled China at 25 and found refuge in the Bay Area, where he earned a law degree and started a private practice. He grew up in a small village in Sichuan with five siblings. His involvement in political activism forced him to leave China, and when Alisa gained global recognition, their past followed them.

Reports indicated that one of five individuals charged with espionage contacted Arthur in 2021, impersonating a U.S. Olympic official to request sensitive information. Authorities later found that the suspect had traveled to the Bay Area for surveillance.

Arthur expressed that this situation appeared aimed at intimidating them, discouraging outspoken support for human rights. He voiced concerns for his daughter’s safety but acknowledged the U.S. government’s protective measures.

Liu described her experience as “a little strange and exciting.”