Alysa Liu, the American figure skating prodigy who recently captured Olympic gold, has unexpectedly withdrawn from the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships scheduled to take place in Prague, Czech Republic. This surprising development comes less than a month after Liu’s historic victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where she became the first American woman to win Olympic gold in individual figure skating since 2002, and the first to medal in the event since 2006.
Liu’s name has been removed from the official list of participants on the International Skating Union (ISU) website, with her original spot now filled by the second alternate, Sarah Everhardt. As of now, neither Liu nor her representatives have publicly provided a reason for her sudden withdrawal. Fox News Digital has reached out to Liu’s team for comment, but no official statement has been released.
The unexpected news follows a troubling revelation from Liu herself, who recently shared on social media an unsettling encounter with a spectator. In an Instagram story, Liu described how, upon arriving at an airport, she was surrounded by a crowd of fans eager for her autograph and photographs. She recounted that she was “chased” to her car by someone from the crowd, an experience she found invasive and distressing. “Please do not do that to me,” she implored her followers, highlighting the pressures and challenges athletes can face off the ice.
Alysa Liu’s journey in figure skating has been marked by both exceptional talent and significant personal challenges. After making her Olympic debut in 2022 at the Beijing Winter Games, Liu briefly stepped away from competitive skating, citing trauma and mental health struggles. Her father, Arthur Liu, revealed that she had developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to her experiences in the sport. He described how she had become “really unhappy” and “avoided the ice rink at all costs,” underscoring the emotional toll her early career had taken.
Adding to the complexity of her story, Liu and her father were reportedly the targets of a Chinese government spying operation prior to the 2022 Olympics. The incident was described by Liu as “a little bit freaky and exciting,” but also unsettling, especially given her young age at the time. Liu expressed disbelief at the situation, likening it to something out of a movie or a prank show, but acknowledged that it made sense in light of her father’s past activism. Arthur Liu explained that the surveillance was likely intended to intimidate them and dissuade them from speaking out on political issues, particularly human rights violations in China. He also noted that the U.S. government took measures to ensure Alysa’s safety during this period.
Despite these obstacles, Liu made a remarkable comeback to competitive skating in 2024. Her return was swift and impactful; by March 2025, she had already made history by becoming the first American to compete at the World Figure Skating Championships in 19 years. Her trajectory continued upward, culminating in her Olympic gold medal performance in February 2026, which not only brought her personal triumph but also revitalized American women’s figure skating on the global stage.
Liu’s Olympic success triggered a massive surge in her popularity, particularly on social media platforms. Prior to the Games, she had fewer than 300,000 followers on Instagram. However, just one week after her victory, her follower count skyrocketed past five million. At the time of this report, Liu boasts over 7.4 million followers, reflecting her growing influence and the widespread admiration for her achievements.
Nevertheless, this growing fanbase may face disappointment as Liu’s withdrawal from the World Championships means they will have fewer opportunities to see her compete internationally in the near future. The reasons behind her decision remain unclear, sparking speculation and concern among supporters and the wider figure skating community.
Liu’s story is a powerful reminder of the pressures elite athletes endure, both on and off the ice. Her journey from a traumatized young skater to an Olympic champion illustrates resilience in the face of adversity. It also sheds light on the complex intersection of sports, politics, and personal wellbeing, particularly given the geopolitical tensions that have impacted her career.
As fans and observers await further information about Liu’s status and future plans, her legacy as a trailblazer for American figure skating is firmly established. Meanwhile, the figure skating world will turn its attention to the upcoming Championships in Prague, where new talents like Sarah Everhardt will