Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu Returns to Oakland

Oakland's newest Olympic champion is coming home to a hero's welcome, and the entire city is ready to celebrate.

Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old figure skater who brought home two gold medals from the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, will be honored at a free community rally on March 12 at Frank Ogawa Plaza. The noontime event celebrates her gold medal wins in both women's singles and team ice skating competitions last month.

"This rally is a celebration not just of an extraordinary champion, but of everything our community represents: grit, excellence, and the belief that Oakland always punches above its weight," said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. Liu was born in Clovis but spent much of her life training in Richmond and Oakland, where she attended the Oakland School for the Arts.

The city has been riding high on "Alysa Liu vibes" since her Olympic victories in February. Locals have been gathering at a newly painted mural on Telegraph Avenue showing Liu holding her gold medal, taking selfies and celebrating their local hero who gave Oakland a shoutout on live international television.

Why This Inspires

Liu's journey resonates because she represents what's possible when talent meets opportunity in a supportive community. She was just 13 when she first talked about her Olympic dreams in a 2019 interview, and Oakland watched her grow from a promising young skater into a world champion.

The celebration reflects Oakland's fierce pride in its own. The event has generated so much interest that free reservations are required through visitoakland.com. Gates open at 9 a.m., with security screenings in place and food trucks on site for the family-friendly, alcohol-free gathering.

Liu will speak at the rally, giving her community a chance to hear directly from the athlete who put Oakland on the global stage. "Alysa Liu is Oakland—her drive, her brilliance, her joy," Mayor Lee said. "Watching her claim gold for our city and our country filled every Oaklander with pride."

It's a reminder that Olympic dreams can start anywhere, even in a city that loves to prove it can compete with anyone.