Alysa Liu walked away from skating and returned to win Olympic gold

Alysa Liu left competitive skating after the 2022 Beijing Games, returned two years later with a different outlook, and won the women's Olympic gold in Milan with a free skate score of 226.79.

Alysa Liu won the women's Olympic figure skating title at the Milan Cortina Games after a free skate that earned 226.79 points. She moved past silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto and bronze medalist Ami Nakai. Liu had stepped away from competitive skating after the 2022 Beijing Games and spent about two years doing other things before returning. During her break she traveled, began studying psychology at UCLA, and later resumed skating with more control over her schedule and programs. What happened: - Alysa Liu won the women's Olympic gold in Milan with a free skate score of 226.79 points. - She finished ahead of Kaori Sakamoto (silver) and Ami Nakai (bronze). - The article notes this is the first U.S. women's Olympic figure skating gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002. - Liu stepped away from the sport after the 2022 Olympics, spent about two years away, and launched a comeback two years ago. - During her break she studied psychology at UCLA, traveled, and returned to competition with greater input on her programs and appearance. Summary: Liu's victory came after a period away from skating and followed a comeback framed by a different personal outlook and greater control over her career. Undetermined at this time.