Olympic Champion Liu Announces Sabbatical from Competition

Alysa Liu, the 21-year-old American who recently claimed the Olympic women’s singles title in Milan, will not compete during the 2026-27 figure skating season. Liu announced the decision via social media, stating her intention to take time to recalibrate and develop her artistry away from the pressures of the competitive circuit. She plans to return to the ice for the 2028 season.

Despite stepping back from competitions, Liu will continue training with her longtime coaches in the Bay Area. Her focus during this period will be on technical refinement and performance evolution, including spins, jumps, and overall presentation. Liu emphasized that she wants the sport to reflect her personal growth and plans to challenge herself to ensure her skating continues to evolve.

This move marks the latest chapter in an unconventional career trajectory. Liu previously retired at age 16 following the 2022 Beijing Games, stepping away from the sport to attend UCLA and explore life outside the rink. She later mounted a comeback that resulted in a world championship victory in 2025 and an Olympic gold medal in February.

Liu’s performances have been a staple of recent major international broadcasts. In the United States, these events have been carried extensively by the networks of Comcast Corporation. The media giant holds significant rights for Olympic coverage and figure skating events, providing the platform for Liu’s recent victories to reach domestic audiences. Comcast currently holds a market capitalization of approximately $96 billion.

What to watch

• Liu’s targeted return for the 2028 competitive season and her performance development during the hiatus.
• Future programming schedules from Comcast Corporation regarding major figure skating championships and Olympic qualifiers.

Source: original release