Alysa Liu Wins First US Women's Skating Gold in 20 Years
American figure skater Alysa Liu claimed Olympic gold Thursday night, ending a two-decade drought for US women on the podium. Just hours later, the US women's hockey team defeated Canada in overtime to capture their third Olympic gold medal.
After 20 years of waiting, an American woman finally stands atop the Olympic figure skating podium again.
Alysa Liu delivered a stunning performance Thursday night at the 2026 Winter Olympics, scoring 150.20 in her free skate to capture gold. The last American woman to win Olympic gold in figure skating was Sarah Hughes back in 2002.
Liu dominated the competition with the highest free skating score of the night. Japan's Kaori Sakamoto took silver while her teammate Mone Chiba claimed bronze.
Two other Americans competed in the final, with Amber Glenn finishing fifth and Isabeau Levito placing 12th. But it was Liu's night to shine, bringing home a medal that American figure skating fans have been dreaming about for a generation.
The golden night for Team USA didn't stop there. The women's hockey team added their own dramatic victory just hours later.
Captain Hilary Knight scored the equalizer with just two minutes left in regulation after the US trailed Canada 1-0 for most of the game. Then Megan Keller buried the game-winning goal in overtime to seal a 2-1 victory over their fiercest rival.
This marks the third Olympic gold medal for US women's hockey. Since the sport joined the Olympics in 1998, only two nations have ever won gold: the United States and Canada.
Why This Inspires
These victories represent more than just medals. Liu's win ends a frustrating drought that spanned an entire generation of skaters, proving that American women can reclaim their place among the world's best.
The hockey team's comeback shows the power of never giving up. Down by a goal with minutes remaining against their toughest opponent, they fought back when it mattered most.
Both teams showed young athletes everywhere that patience, preparation, and perseverance eventually pay off. Liu trained for years to reach this moment, while the hockey players demonstrated that championships are won in the final minutes when you refuse to quit.
Two gold medals in one night reminds us that American athletes continue pushing boundaries and inspiring the next generation to dream big.
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Based on reporting by ESPN
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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