Peak moment on the 13th day of the Olympics
USAT’s Sam Cardona Norberg breaks down the epic night the Team USA women’s team had on the ice during Day 13 of the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
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MILAN — Alisa Liu’s father sifted through conflicting thoughts and emotions.
Thursday, February 19, less than 24 hours after his daughter won gold in the women’s individual figure skating competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Arthur Liu was smiling and looking happy during an exclusive interview with USA TODAY Sports. He also became restrained while sharing his regrets. He said they stemmed from decisions his daughter made years ago that surprised the crowd inside the Milan Ice Skating Arena and the millions watching on television.
He recalled that Alisa changed coaches shortly before she left ice skating at age 16.
Arthur Liu said, “Looking back, I think I made a mistake,” and Alisa added, “I started hating things like skating until I quit.”
He also said he regrets taking her from her parents’ home in Northern California to train in Colorado Springs, home of USA Ice Skating, months before the 2022 Winter Olympics. She finished 6th at the Beijing Games.
“I took her to Colorado Springs and left her there,” said Alissa, 20, who was overwhelmed at the time with the burden of running a law firm and being a single parent of five children.
“She was upset and she missed home. But I thought, I went to boarding school when I was 14. I survived. I felt like[Alyssa]could get through this too. But I didn’t know she hated it. I didn’t know until she came home.”
“Do it your way.”
When Alisa Liu returned to ice skating at age 18, Arthur Liu said it was clear what was to come.
“She said, ‘I’ll be back. I’m going to keep my word,'” Arthur recalled. “I thought, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it my way,’ because as a father I love her and I want to support her, but there’s only so much I can do. I’m just one person. I’m so tired by the end of the day.
“Just work and the kids and everything else. I just want to relax a little bit. I don’t have to worry about her too much1771697546which is great. You want me to stay out of it? That’s great, even if it hurts a little to hear that.”
At age 13, Arisa became the youngest U.S. champion in history. And as his skating career progresses, Arthur Liu said he hopes to find someone to take over.
“Because it’s too difficult for me. It’s really difficult for me to raise Champion and take care of her and also take care of other children,” he said.
“So, I’ve always wanted someone to take over and that’s what happened. So, okay, you’re not on the team anymore. In a way, that’s a little heartbreaking to hear. But the truth is, that’s exactly where I wanted it to be, and I want her to be independent.”
Arthur Liu gave up his role as Alisa’s manager.
“She has a good team around her, so I don’t have to worry about how to protect her or what to do,” Arthur Liu said.
“I’m not fully involved in her work. I’ve done my work for her and now I have to focus on the other four (children).”
“Hugs and photos”
Section 28, 2 rows, seats 1-5.
That’s where Arthur and his four children sat inside the Milan Ice Skating Arena, at the edge of the rink. He said Alisa discovered them during a six-minute practice session before the final stage of the competition began.
Arthur said he learned later that she had made her fingers into the shape of a heart.
Arthur Liu said, “That’s the type of person she is. Even early on at (U.S.) nationals and nationals, she knew where I was sitting.”
The family waited at the arena until 2:30 p.m. so they could meet with Alisa for 10 minutes.
Arthur Liu said about 20 friends and family members greeted Alisa.
“Lots of hugs and pictures,” he said of the visit.
“I really trust her.”
On the night of the free skate, Arthur Liu said he was a little nervous.
“I really trust her. I believe she’s going to go out there and do what she always does,” he said. And my philosophy is a little similar to hers. I’m not too attached to rankings or medals. So it’s actually about two great programs: the short program and the free skate.
“It’s something she’s happy with, something she’s happy with. So when she does that, it usually works out pretty well for her.”
However, as Arisa surged to the top, Japan’s Ami Naka and Kaori Sakamoto were within striking distance before the final ski.
Arthur Liu said, “I was very happy after (Alyssa) performed. But there will be two very strong competitors, so you never know.”
Arthur Liu noticed right away. Everyone knew.
Alisa is an Olympic champion and the first American figure skating champion since 2002.
“They had a lot of fun.”
Arthur Liu recalled when his eldest son, Alisa, just started skating. Two of her brothers joined her.
“They had a lot of fun chasing the people playing hide and seek on the rink, and they made friends with the adults and hockey players and chased them around,” Arthur Liu said. “It’s just having fun. That’s what parents want to see.”
And there she was at the ice skating arena in Milan, oozing joy and clearly having fun, just as she did before her hiatus during dark times.
Arthur Liu said, “She’s really happy to see the crowd,” adding, “She just wants to perform well.”
