Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu Returns Home to Oakland

When 20-year-old Alysa Liu stepped off her flight at San Francisco International Airport Monday night, she walked through a doorway covered in gold balloons and tinsel curtains. The Oakland native had just become the first American woman to win Olympic gold in individual figure skating since 2002.

Delta employees greeted her over the intercom before she exited the plane. "Alysa, your hard work, brilliance and passion have made all of us incredibly proud," they announced to cheering passengers.

Liu's friends needed two cars to transport all her gear and luggage from the airport. A viral TikTok showed the Olympic champion dancing in the baggage claim area, celebrating with friends as they crammed six oversized suitcases into a Mini Cooper and a second vehicle.

The figure skater wasted no time reconnecting with home. On her first evening back, she visited Trabocco, an Italian restaurant in Alameda's South Shore Center, where owner Giuseppe Naccarelli served her a special tiramisu with "Congratulations" written in chocolate.

Liu made history in Milan by winning two gold medals: one in the team competition and one in the individual event. She's the first American woman to medal in individual figure skating in 20 years and broke a 24-year gold medal drought that stretched back to Sarah Hughes' win in Salt Lake City.

The Ripple Effect

Oakland is pulling out all the stops for their hometown hero. Historic Fentons Creamery offered Liu ice cream for life and said they're ready to host a homecoming party whenever she wants one.

The city installed congratulatory messages on five digital billboards throughout Oakland. The displays feature photos of Liu with her gold medal and mid-performance, framing an image of Lake Merritt.

Oakland officials announced plans for a community-wide celebration honoring Liu, though details are still being finalized. Liu trained at the Oakland Ice Center throughout her career and shouted out her hometown after her short program last week.

The love isn't just coming from businesses and city hall. Social media has exploded with Bay Area residents celebrating their Olympic champion, with one restaurant commenter joking that Liu was "still craving real Italian food" after her time in Milan.

Oakland's newest hero is home, and her city couldn't be prouder.