Quick Read
- Alysa Liu won two gold medals at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
- She became the first American woman in 24 years to win Olympic singles figure skating gold.
- Liu reported being chased to her car by fans at an airport upon her return.
- She used Instagram to plea for privacy and personal space.
- Liu manages her social media by largely avoiding scrolling to protect her mental health.
SAN FRANCISCO (Azat TV) – American figure skating gold medalist Alysa Liu has publicly addressed the overwhelming public attention following her historic wins at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, detailing a distressing encounter at an airport upon her return. The 20-year-old athlete, whose comeback story captivated audiences worldwide, used an Instagram Story post to plea for personal space after being chased to her car by fans seeking autographs and photos.
Liu’s appeal for privacy comes as she navigates the intense spotlight of being the first American woman in 24 years to secure an Olympic gold medal in the women’s singles figure skating event, a feat last achieved by Sarah Hughes in 2002. She also contributed to the U.S. team’s gold medal alongside teammates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito, collectively nicknamed the “Blade Angels.”
The Price of Olympic Gold: Alysa Liu’s Airport Encounter
The incident occurred as Alysa Liu landed at an unspecified airport after her triumphant return from Milan. In her Instagram Story on March 4, Liu described a crowd waiting at the exit with cameras, invading her personal space. ‘Someone chased me to my car bruh,’ she wrote, accompanied by a crying emoji and a meme, signaling her discomfort and distress. She did not share further details about the encounter.
This unwelcome experience highlights the challenging aspects of sudden, immense fame, contrasting sharply with the celebratory atmosphere that greeted her elsewhere. Earlier in the week, Liu was applauded by Delta flight attendants and greeted with gifts and cheers from airport staff and crowds at San Francisco International Airport, her presence marked by gold streamers at the gate exit, as reported by E! Online.
A Golden Comeback Defined by Joy, Not Pressure
Liu’s 2026 Olympic victory marks a remarkable return to competitive skating after her unexpected retirement in 2022 at the age of 16, following the Beijing Games. Her decision to step away was attributed to burnout, despite having already achieved significant success, including a national gold at 13 years old and a sixth-place finish at the 2022 Olympics. Her journey back to the ice, culminating in two Olympic gold medals, has been widely celebrated as a story of triumph and renewed passion.
Upon her return, Liu emphasized a transformed approach to her sport, prioritizing joy and personal choice over external pressures. She spoke about regulating her practice, choosing her music, and making decisions about her training environment—a stark contrast to her earlier career, which was largely governed by her father and instructors. This shift, she explained to The Wellesley News, allowed her to find success through genuine enjoyment rather than deprivation and resentment, making her performance ‘electric’ and ‘mesmerizing.’ Liu enrolled at UCLA in the fall of 2023, further signaling a broader focus beyond just athletic achievement.
Navigating Newfound Fame and Mental Well-being
In addition to the airport incident, Liu has experienced a massive surge in her public profile, gaining millions of Instagram followers since her Olympic wins, with her count increasing by approximately 250,000 to 7.2 million. To maintain her mental health and stay grounded, Liu told People magazine that she largely avoids scrolling on Instagram, only using it to post and view posts from people she personally knows. ‘The only accounts I have not muted are the people I know in my life,’ she stated, adding that ‘not going on the internet’ and sticking to a routine are crucial for her well-being.
While dealing with the complexities of fame, Liu’s hometown of Oakland, California, is preparing a community-wide celebration to honor her. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced that the city is coordinating with Liu’s team to finalize a date for the event, acknowledging Liu as a ‘hometown hero’ who represents the ‘heart, grit, resilience, and joy of Oakland.’ Liu trained for the Winter Games at the Oakland Ice Center.
Alysa Liu’s post-Olympic plea for privacy underscores a broader narrative consistent with her comeback: a commitment to personal well-being and genuine passion over the intense external demands of elite athleticism. Her current stance reflects a conscious effort to define success on her own terms, extending beyond the competitive arena into her personal life.