Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu has opened up about her decision to stay single, revealing she has no interest in pursuing romance following her triumphant performance at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.
The 20-year-old American, who captured two gold medals at this year’s Olympics, told Cosmopolitan that friendships take priority over dating in her life.
“Oh my god, this is, like, the first time I’ve talked about this,” she told Cosmopolitan.
“That’s a whole other thing that I’m not feeling right now.
“I have so much love in my life already, and I have so many amazing people, I just haven’t felt the need to look for more or look elsewhere.”
Liu expressed confidence in her approach to relationships, noting her self-assurance plays a role in her choices.
“I really love myself. And my standards are quite high, too,” she continued.
The double Olympic champion acknowledged that her demanding schedule leaves little room for romantic pursuits.
Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu has opened up about her decision to stay single, revealing she has no interest in pursuing romance following her triumphant performance at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games | GETTY
“If I were to date someone, we’d each have to make tons of sacrifices. It’s just not worth it at this point to build something,” she explained.
Liu appears entirely at ease with her relationship status, suggesting it may remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.
“I think when it comes, it will. I love being single, I really do. I do see myself being single for a long time.
“Especially right now, I choose friendships over relationships any day.”
Alysa Liu insists she’s happy to be single
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Liu’s path to Olympic glory was far from straightforward. She began skating at five years old, with her father Arthur encouraging her to take up the sport.
The gruelling demands of elite competition took their toll during her teenage years.
“I skated every day when I was 13 and 14, so it was a very abnormal childhood,” she told 60 Minutes.
“Especially as a kid, you don’t really know what you want. Skating feels more like a responsibility or a burden, even.”
Her time at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado proved particularly isolating.
“I would live at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado, in a dorm by myself. I would eat their food. I went to the rink, skated, ate lunch there, skated some more. Went back to the dorm,” she told the AP.
Alysa Liu won two gold medals at the Winter Olympics
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“I didn’t go anywhere. I didn’t see anything. I was just there. And so all that, I was like, ‘Skating is not worth it.’ Like, this is not worth it.”
At 16, she walked away from the sport entirely.
Two years later, Liu made her comeback, but this time she established firm boundaries with her coaching team.
“I made a deal with my coaches: No one tells me what I’m gonna wear. No one tells me how my hair is gonna be. No one’s gonna try to change me. I’m going to pick my own programs and skate the sessions I want to skate.”
The arrangement gave her complete creative authority whilst still benefiting from professional guidance.
“Y’all are my coaches. You guys are going to help me and lead me in training, but I’m structuring it the way I want to.”
Her return in 2024 captivated audiences worldwide, with her natural exuberance and remarkable ability earning her devoted supporters before her Olympic triumph.
