Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu announces she will sit out the 2026-27 season and will not compete in any events during that period. Multiple outlets report that Liu makes the announcement via social media, with her wording indicating she is stepping away from competition rather than ending her career.
Liu is described as an American who won Olympic gold in early 2026 and is taking a further break after previously leaving the sport competitively as a teenager. The Guardian and BBC emphasize that she continues training during her time away and frames the decision as a “recalibrate” period focused on improving skating. ABC Australia and Yahoo also highlight her timing—roughly six months after Olympic gold—while the Los Angeles Times contrasts this break with her 2022 retirement, saying she presents it as a return rather than a final exit.
Overall, outlets agree on her decision, the season she will miss, and that she plans to return to competition after the break, with differences mainly in emphasis: some focus on artistry and skills development, others on training continuity and the distinction from past retirement.
