After a season that could hardly have unfolded more perfectly, one question began to follow Alysa Liu wherever she went: would she continue competing, or was this the end of the road?
Her historic Olympic gold capped a comeback that few predicted and even fewer believed could be executed so flawlessly. With the drought for U.S. women finally over and her name etched into skating history, many wondered what more there was left to achieve.
The speculation intensified because Liu had already walked away once before. At just 16, she stepped back from the sport, citing burnout and a desire to live a normal teenage life. That decision reshaped how fans viewed her career — and made every future choice feel unpredictable.
So when she returned and climbed to the top of the Olympic podium, it felt almost cinematic. A perfect ending. A full-circle moment. The kind of story that naturally invites a graceful exit.
That’s why the question lingered: would she leave on top?
When finally asked directly about her future, Liu didn’t deliver a dramatic speech or tease a cliffhanger announcement. Her response was brief, but it carried unmistakable clarity.
She revealed that she intends to continue.
The answer surprised many who assumed she might retire again, preserving a flawless chapter in skating history. Instead, Liu explained that this phase of her career feels fundamentally different from the one she left behind years ago.
This time, she says, the joy is real. The pressure feels manageable. The motivation comes from within rather than from outside expectations. Skating no longer feels like something she has to endure — it feels like something she chooses.
In the end, her decision wasn’t just about medals or momentum. It was about ownership. And for Alysa Liu, continuing isn’t about chasing another title — it’s about skating on her own terms.
