The American figure skater’s performance off the ice stands in stark contrast with that of the California-born, China-embracing skier.
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Left: Alysa Liu of the United States celebrates with the gold medal during the medal ceremony for the women’s free skate during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, in Milan, Italy, February 19, 2026. Right: Eileen Gu of the People’s Republic of China reacts after her second run in the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe qualification during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, February 19, 2026.
James Lang, Joe Camporeale/Imagn Images via Reuters
When Alysa Liu won a gold medal in women’s figure skating yesterday, she became the first American to medal in the discipline at the Olympics since the 2006 Games. While her win is something for Americans to be proud of, we should be especially proud of Liu off the ice — both her background and the way she’s comported herself under immense pressure.
Her story is especially notable — and admirable — when you compare Liu to her fellow Olympian, freestyle skier Eileen Gu.
About the Author
Jennifer Tiedemann is the commissioning editor of National Review Online.
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When Alysa Liu won a gold medal in women’s figure skating yesterday, she became the first American to medal in the discipline at the Olympics since the 2006 Games. While her win is something for Americans to be proud of, we should be especially proud of Liu off the ice — both her background and the way she’s comported herself under immense pressure.
Her story is especially notable — and admirable — when you compare Liu to her fellow Olympian, freestyle skier Eileen Gu.
About the Author
Jennifer Tiedemann is the commissioning editor of National Review Online.
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