Alysa Liu to skip 2026-27 figure skating season

American figure skater Alysa Liu, the reigning Olympic champion in women's singles, announced on August 25 that she will take a hiatus from competition for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The two-time gold medalist from the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics stated she intends to use the time to focus on her personal growth and artistic development before returning to the sport. In a statement posted to her Instagram account, Liu wrote, "While people are announcing programs, imma take this time to announce that I will not be competing this season." She explained her decision by saying, "I always want to challenge myself in new ways, so my artistry and skating can evolve.