sports
March 15, 2026
‘She is our hero’: Oakland celebrates Alysa Liu after Olympics triumph
After earning gold in Milan, local figure-skating icon accepts a key to the city at a celebration of local artists
TL;DR
- Nearly 5,000 people gathered in Oakland to celebrate figure skater Alysa Liu after her Olympic gold medal victories.
- Liu received a key to the city from Mayor Barbara Lee, who called her an "American hero."
- The event featured local artists, including Fremont High School's drumline, a lion dance troupe, and student Abayomi Lewis.
- Liu expressed that she represents Oakland, despite her family moving around the Bay Area, noting she briefly attended Oakland School for the Arts and trained at the Oakland Ice Center.
- Liu, the first US woman to win the individual figure-skating gold medal in 24 years, discussed the importance of her break from the sport for personal development.
- Other notable figures such as Kristi Yamaguchi, Andre Ward, Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry, and Brian Boitano sent video messages, while Kehlani performed.
- Liu recently withdrew from the upcoming world championships, citing overlapping commitments and a lack of training time, but stated she is satisfied after the Olympics.
Continue reading the original article