Alysa Liu retired in 2022 and is coming back in 2024

[skatfan]

I’m sad to see Alysa move on, but with everything she’s had to endure the last few years, I’m not totally surprised. I almost wonder if she made the announcement now while she’s in Japan to prevent anyone in the US from trying to change her mind.

I don’t think it was so much about changing anyone’s mind as much as letting fans know so they can see her on tour, and not having to answer whether she’s going to continue or what she plans for next season.

 

[kittyjake5]

Best of luck to Alysa!

 

[love skating]

Alysa's one of my favorites so I'm very sad to hear that she's retiring. However, if it makes her happy then I am happy for her and wish her all the best in her future. She really did accomplish so much in her skating career. I never said this out loud but a year and a half ago when she had her growth spurt and injury, I thought her career was over then. I thought to myself that she wouldn't get her jumps back and certainly didn't envision the Olympics or a World medal. In a couple short months later I'm so happy she proved me wrong and she came back as strong as ever at Nationals last year and then had this wonderful Olympic season. So I'm grateful for the years we did get to enjoy this wonderfully joyful skater! I sure will miss her!

 

[overedge]

I was not always a fan of hers, but she managed to grow physically and still maintain her skills, which is a really great accomplishment. I felt like she was starting to do some really interesting work this past season, and it's a shame we won't get to see her develop further as a competitive skater (unless she comes back )

I really hope that the goals she has achieved are her goals, and that this is her decision.

 

[paskatefan]

I will miss her for sure, but thrilled for her that she is satisfied with her skating career & accomplishments. All the best to you, Alysa!

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

And Pairs......ugh! Dance - C/B. Men - I don't even know.

We need some skaters STAT!

We're Canada in 2018. Osmond retired, V/M retired, D/R retired. Men weren't that strong.

We have some potentially good men and C/B may stay around another season. But ladies not so, pairs total building mode. A number of factors have damaged the sport; hoping it can come back.

 

[Sylvia]

More article links based on Alysa's personal announcement via Instagram yesterday (she did it her own way ):

From NBC Olympics - "Liu’s father and U.S. Figure Skating later confirmed the veracity of the post.":

Alysa Liu retires from figure skating competition at age 16

Olympian Alysa Liu retired from figure skating at 16, three years after becoming the youngest U.S. champion in history and weeks after a world bronze.

olympics.nbcsports.com

Associated Press article by Barry Wilner (republished on ESPN.com and many other papers nationwide):

Olympics figure skater Alysa Liu retires at age 16

Alysa Liu, a 2022 Olympian and world championships bronze medalist, is retiring from competitive figure skating at age 16.

apnews.com

Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2022/04/09/alysa-liu-retires/

Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu, 16, announces retirement: I'm 'moving on with my life'

Two months after competing in the women's event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the 16-year-old announced she's retiring from figure skating.

www.usatoday.com

16-Year-Old Olympic Figure Skater Alysa Liu Announces Early Retirement: 'I'm So Happy'

"Now that I'm finally done with my goals in skating I'm going to be moving on with my life," the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympian wrote in her announcement on Saturday

people.com

Team USA.org: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2022/A...-As-Figure-Skater-Alysa-Liu-Retires-At-Age-16

U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu, Olympian and world bronze medalist, announces retirement at 16

American women's figure skating star Alysa Liu is retiring from the sport, she announced Saturday. Liu, who made her international senior debut last summer, is 16 years old.

theathletic.com

ETA:

There was an article in our local paper. It's probably behind a paywall but here it is:

Olympic figure skater from Bay Area announces retirement at age 16

Liu is a two-time United States figure skating champion.

www.mercurynews.com

The San Francisco Chronicle article is also behind a paywall (incorporates the AP article, I believe):

Richmond Olympian Alysa Liu announces retirement from figure skating at 16

Alysa Liu, the figure-skating phenom from Richmond who set U.S. records and made her...

www.sfchronicle.com

 

[Frau Muller]

We're Canada in 2018. Osmond retired, V/M retired, D/R retired. Men weren't that strong.

We have some potentially good men and C/B may stay around another season. But ladies not so, pairs total building mode. A number of factors have damaged the sport; hoping it can come back.

Ah, we have Isabeau Levito and Lindsay Thorngren…The Jersey Girls rivalry! I am so looking forward to seeing this, in all of its glory, at Jr Worlds next week.

 

[just tuned in]

Following everyone into the echo-chamber to congratulate Alysa on her retirement. Sounds like it was an easy decision for her. Certain language, such as "finally" meeting her goals and "getting on with my life" suggests that she was not altogether happy. Here's to a life of happiness!

 

[Baby Yoda On Skates]

I was one who said that the move to Colorado ruined Alysa's life and I was happy to see her return to California after the Olys. I'm not surprised to see this announcement. Alysa seems like she enjoys being a regular kid and if she achieved her goals and feels like she gained what she wanted from the sport, more power to her for knowing that it's time to move on.

 

[AxelAnnie]

This is one focused young woman. She set her goals...worked hard...achieved her goals...and on to her next set of goals.

I am thinking. ALYSA FOR PRESIDENT! IF we are really lucky.

 

[Simone411]

I really enjoyed her skating and I'm so proud of what she's accomplished so far in her young life. Wishing Alysa the best in whatever she decides next in her future.

 

[sk9tingfan]

This is one focused young woman. She set her goals...worked hard...achieved her goals...and on to her next set of goals.

I am thinking. ALYSA FOR PRESIDENT! IF we are really lucky.

She seems to have a knack for making friends and building constructive relationships everywhere she goes and across nationalities and age groups. Like Nathan, I will be watching both of them and what they achieve going forward.

 

[feraina]

Sad as a fan we won’t see her develop but it really did feel like from her mid season coaching change that she was going to go off to college after this season, and she and her family were just maximizing what she could achieve in this one season and nothing more. I guess good for her. I hope she will enjoy college. I normally would think that there’s a non trivial chance that she’ll realize in a few years, after she finishes college, that she wants to come back to competitive skating, since she will still be so young. But the thing is she has already reached such amazing heights in her short career, so it will be very hard to top in a comeback. So maybe this is it. I’m sure she will have a great career and life though, whatever she decides to pursue from here.

 

[Sylvia]

In this San Francisco Chronicle (paywalled) article by Ann Killion dated Feb. 5, Stanford, Cal [UC Berkeley] & Barnard in NYC were mentioned as her “top choices” for college at the time:

How Richmond’s Alysa Liu navigated twisting journey to Beijing Olympics

Nothing much has gone as predicted for Alysa Liu. Except this: The 16-year-old Richmond...

www.sfchronicle.com

At Worlds Alysa mentioned she wasn't able to finish her applications in time to be able to start college in 2022.

 

[UGG]

I wish her well and am excited for her. Her whole career from an expectation standpoint was completely ridiculous to put on a child.

2x National Champion, World Bronze Medalist, Olympian. Not a bad career.

Good luck Alysia

I’m glad at the age of 16 she was able to make her own choice and not have anyone control her. In this sport, I think that’s more remarkable and game changing than anything she accomplished on ice!! Glad we are starting to see young athletes speak up for themselves

I hate seeing young athletes who look like they want to be anywhere other then where they are.

 

[Aussie Willy]

Good for you, Alysa Liu. She seems to have a very Zen attitude. Nothing is permanent, and there is much more for her to explore.

If there was time when Dick Button should be commentating it is this.

Glad she has decided on her own terms. Seems like she is a sensible girl and will be successful in whatever she wants to do.

 

[PRlady]

I wish her well and am excited for her. Her whole career from an expectation standpoint was completely ridiculous to put on a child.

2x National Champion, World Bronze Medalist, Olympian. Not a bad career.

Good luck Alysia

I’m glad at the age of 16 she was able to make her own choice and not have anyone control her. In this sport, I think that’s more remarkable and game changing than anything she accomplished on ice!! Glad we are starting to see young athletes speak up for themselves

As someone who started college at 17, I think it’s fine that she needs to wait at least an extra semester. There’s normal experiences she’s missed out on anyway and a little more maturity won’t hurt.

 

[flyingsit]

As someone who started college at 17, I think it’s fine that she needs to wait at least an extra semester. There’s normal experiences she’s missed out on anyway and a little more maturity won’t hurt.

Could be. I started college a few weeks before I turned 17 and there were definitely situations I didn’t know how to handle.

 

[moebius]

It's refreshing to hear a US female skater who has the potential to be Olympic and World gold medallist doesn't have super high expectations of her skating career, like winning gold in Olympics (especially) and Worlds. Her expectations of her skating career are reasonable. It's great to hear that she is satisfied with her accomplishments and enjoyed her skating career despite not having an Olympic medal or World gold medal. Lots of skaters put too much pressure on themselves that they spiral in into depression or eating disorder (won't mention the skaters, but you probably know who they are) if they don't live up to their expectations like winning the Olympic gold or having an individual Olympic medal. This young lady has a good head on her shoulders. I hope she sets a good example for future young US female skaters as to how to have a healthy skating career.

 

[bardtoob]

I'm happy for Alysa Liu.

I hope her the best as she finds the right career for herself. It's so hard to figure that out these days.

 

[mackiecat]

A lot of skaters quit skating in their mid-teens as they turn to school, socializing and other interests. The difference is that the majority of these skates are not World ranked.

 

[skateboy]

Wow, how am I just seeing this now?

Surprised, but wishing Alysa the best as she moves forward.

 

[Jammers]

In this San Francisco Chronicle (paywalled) article by Ann Killion dated Feb. 5, Stanford, Cal [UC Berkeley] & Barnard in NYC were mentioned as her “top choices” for college at the time:

How Richmond’s Alysa Liu navigated twisting journey to Beijing Olympics

Nothing much has gone as predicted for Alysa Liu. Except this: The 16-year-old Richmond...

www.sfchronicle.com

At Worlds Alysa mentioned she wasn't able to finish her applications in time to be able to start college in 2022.

When i read that Alysa wouldn't be able to start college in 2022 i thought for sure she was going to compete for at least one more season.

 

[overedge]

Lots of skaters put too much pressure on themselves that they spiral in into depression or eating disorder (won't mention the skaters, but you probably know who they are) if they don't live up to their expectations like winning the Olympic gold or having an individual Olympic medal.

Lots of skaters also get that pressure put on them by external forces, like USFS, NBC, and the media in general. Alysa is one of them - when she won Nationals in 2018 some of the coverage made it sound like she was going to win Olympics, Worlds, and every other competition between then and whenever.

It's not always the skaters putting pressure on themselves.

 

[Coco]

You know...USFSA could really protect ladies skaters by making dance the main focus. Dancers tend to be older, more adept and media and have results that are easier to market.

 

[Frau Muller]

You know...USFSA could really protect ladies skaters by making dance the main focus. Dancers tend to be older, more adept and media and have results that are easier to market.

Unfortunately, they don’t have the mass-audience appeal. For crying out loud, not even Davis-White’s Olympic Gold medal could cause mass adulation among Joe & Jane Public as do the Dorothys and Michelles. Nope. It’s all about the Ladies/Women.

 

[Frau Muller]

To me, in retrospect, Alysa hit her artistic apogee at Lombardia this past Sept. Just looking back at my DVDs…that’s when the two programs were skated at their most musical…she hit all of the orchestral highlights. Best of all: that long majestic Ina Bauer spiral near the end of her LP during the crescendo of the Violin Concerto. By Worlds, it was watered down…less OOMPH to the music. So I’ll forever treasure that moment in my film from Lombardia! Grazie, Alysa!!! Probably my favorite musical moment in the entire season, in all disciplines, with the possible exception of the last minute of the Faure Elegie by P/C at Worlds. My two JanetLynn-style shudder moments of the season.

 

[Trillian]

You know...USFSA could really protect ladies skaters by making dance the main focus. Dancers tend to be older, more adept and media and have results that are easier to market.

Unfortunately, they don’t have the mass-audience appeal.

They would with better marketing. I’ve been thinking for about a decade now that USFS & the TV networks are missing a huge opportunity by not just marketing the ice dancers differently. You’re talking about teams composed of two attractive adults whose programs are often going to look more hip and contemporary to a mainstream audience… and they win medals on a regular basis. Hire people who know how to build a personal brand in 2022 and do some intelligent promotion on social media, and the dance teams are the stars of U.S. figure skating. The blind spot here is mind-boggling to me. This is not rocket science. You can sell the public anything, but you’re going to be more successful if you pick the right thing to sell.

 

[Frau Muller]

They would with better marketing. I’ve been thinking for about a decade now that USFS & the TV networks are missing a huge opportunity by not just marketing the ice dancers differently. You’re talking about teams composed of two attractive adults whose programs are often going to look more hip and contemporary to a mainstream audience… and they win medals on a regular basis. Hire people who know how to build a personal brand in 2022 and do some intelligent promotion on social media, and the dance teams are the stars of U.S. figure skating. The blind spot here is mind-boggling to me. This is not rocket science. You can sell the public anything, but you’re going to be more successful if you pick the right thing to sell.

You are absolutely correct, for logical intelligent people! But…there is a man in every dance team. Ma & Pa Kettle want to see only the purty ballerini showing her purty face and legs. Even the amazingly charismatic multi-time champ Scott Hamilton lost his job at Ice Capades…why he had to create SOI. He wasn’t purty Peggy or Dorothy.