US Figure Skaters End 20-Year Medal Drought at Milan Olympics

For the first time in 20 years, American women figure skaters are serious contenders for Olympic gold.

The United States hasn't won a medal in women's individual figure skating since 2006. But at the Milan Cortina Olympics, three skaters nicknamed the "Blade Angels" are changing that story with performances that have experts buzzing.

Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito all rank in the world's top five. Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski, now an NBC commentator, says she hasn't seen a team this strong in decades. She even thinks an American sweep of all three medals is possible.

The numbers back up that confidence. All three medaled at the highly competitive US Championships last month. They represent different regions and skating styles, creating a team that showcases American talent from California to Texas to New Jersey.

Amber Glenn's journey includes learning to skate at a Dallas mall while her parents worked extra shifts for her training. She came out in 2019 and openly discusses mental health, making her a trailblazer both on and off the ice. After missing the 2022 Olympics due to COVID, she's now won three straight national titles.

Alysa Liu became the youngest US champion ever at age 13 in 2019. She walked away from skating in 2023 to focus on herself, even hiking to Mount Everest's base camp. Since returning in 2024, she won a world championship and earned her second Olympic team spot, this time skating with pure joy instead of pressure.

Isabeau Levito rounds out the trio, bringing technical excellence and heart to every performance. Together, they're rewriting what's possible for American women's figure skating.

Why This Inspires

These three athletes remind us that taking breaks, prioritizing mental health, and staying true to yourself doesn't end dreams. It can actually make them come true in bigger ways than imagined.

Glenn missed an Olympics but came back stronger. Liu walked away completely and returned as a world champion. Their paths weren't straight lines to success, but their authenticity made them better competitors.

They're not just ending a medal drought. They're showing a new generation that you can be yourself, take care of your wellbeing, and still reach the highest levels of your sport.

After two decades of waiting, American figure skating is about to shine again.