The Associated Press
Gold medalist Alysa Liu of the United States shows her medal after competing in the women’s free skate program in figure skating Thursday.
MILAN — Alysa Liu had simply delivered a near-flawless Olympic free skate on Thursday night time, one which left a packed crowd contained in the Milano Ice Skating Arena standing and roaring, when a tv digital camera zoomed in on the American star as she was heading off the ice.
“That’s what I’m f– talking about!” Liu shouted into the lens.
Oh, they’ll be speaking about her for fairly some time.
The 20-year-old from the San Francisco Bay Area, who walked away from the game earlier than discovering her method again once more — and discovering herself in the method — delivered the U.S. its first women’s figure skating gold medal in 24 years. She completed with 226.79 factors to upstage Japanese teammates Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai, who took silver and bronze on the Milan Cortina Games.
“I think my story is more important than anything to me,” Liu mentioned, her frenulum piercing glinting in the sunshine as she smiled, “and that’s what I will hold dear, and this journey has been incredible, and my life has just been — I have no complaints.”
The second Nakai’s rating was learn after the ultimate program of the night time, U.S. teammate Amber Glenn jumped into the kiss-and-cry and raised Liu’s hand in triumph. Liu sheepishly turned and applauded the 17-year-old Nakai, who raced over and hugged her.
It was the primary particular person gold medal for an American girl since 2002, when Sarah Hughes stood atop the rostrum in Salt Lake City, and it was the second gold for Liu on the Milan Cortina Games. She and Glenn helped the Americans win staff gold.
“Her story of taking a step back, mental health, I think it really attests to you never know what the journey to success is going to be,” mentioned Glenn, who completed fifth. “I really hope that can reach the skating community, that it’s OK to take time.”
It was a bittersweet silver medal for Sakamoto, the three-time world champion, who intends to retire after this season. One of the most well-liked figure skaters of her era earned a bronze medal 4 years in the past in Beijing and had her coronary heart set on gold.
“I’m really regretful,” mentioned Sakamoto, who completed with 224.90 factors. “I feel like I’m so disappointed, to be honest.”
Liu’s newest gold medal, in the meantime, blended proper into her glittering gold-sequined gown, solely the blue ribbon standing out. And it appeared the right complement to the golden stripes working via her darkish brown hair, which are supposed to resemble the expansion rings on a tree.
Liu has accomplished a lot of rising up through the years.
She was the youngest U.S. champion ever when she gained the primary of back-to-back titles at 13 years previous. But after ending sixth on the Beijing Games, Liu was so burned out that she abruptly retired. After two years, Liu determined to skate once more, however on her phrases, and extra carefree and confident than she’d been as a baby prodigy, when her life revolved across the apply rink.
“I mean, it’s just how my life has gone,” Liu mentioned, shrugging. “Everything in general has led me to this point.”