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Alyssa Liu She’s been familiar with the ice since she was 5 years old, but the Olympian did something not many figure skaters do: She took a break. The 20-year-old Team USA star stepped away from competitive skating as a teenager before making a remarkable comeback and eventually leading to an Olympic gold medal.
After her historic victory in 2026 Winter OlympicsLiu made headlines again in March 2026 when she announced that she would be withdrawing from the World Figure Skating Championships, choosing to take a sabbatical after her whirlwind Olympic season.
So why did Alyssa quit skating in the first place? less, Hollywood Life It breaks her retirement, her comeback, and her life off the ice.
How old was Alyssa Liu when she retired from figure skating?
Alyssa retired from figure skating in 2022 shortly after competing in the Beijing Olympics. She was 16 years old at the time.
Two years later, when she was 18, Alyssa returned to the ice and was selected to compete in her second Olympic Games at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.
Why did Alyssa Liu leave skating?
Alyssa briefly retired from competitive figure skating due to burnout and a desire to explore more in life off the ice. In a since-deleted Instagram post, the 2025 world champion announced her retirement.
“I started skating when I was 5 years old, so about 11 years on the ice, and it was a crazy 11 years,” she explained at the time in her caption, according to TV Insider. “I made the decision myself a while ago, long before the Olympics. My only goal was to go to the Olympics. I’m only 16. I want to do other things.”
In other interviews, Alyssa said she wants to go to school and make memories with her friends and family instead of eating, sleeping and breathing while exercising, as is expected of athletes.
Alyssa’s father, Arthur LiuHe also discussed his daughter’s decision to take a break from sports. according to usa today, Athor said Alyssa “became really unhappy” with competing as a young woman.
“She avoided the ice rink at all costs. She was traumatised,” Arthur told the outlet. “She was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and didn’t want to go near the ice rink.”
What made Alyssa Liu return to skating?
In March 2024, Alyssa announced her return to competitive skating, sharing what inspired her return in an Instagram post: a skating trip!
“I think I haven’t had an adrenaline rush since I stopped skating,” she explained. “It feels very similar to skating. So, after I skated, I said, ‘Wait, let me get on the ice and see what it’s like.'”
