Alysa Liu Wins Figure Skating Gold; U.S. Women's Hockey Team Defeats Canada

In Brief

Alysa Liu won Olympic figure skating gold and the U.S. women's hockey team beat Canada for gold.

Key Facts

• Alysa Liu won Olympic gold in women's figure skating, the first U.S. win since 2002 according to multiple sources.
• The U.S. women's hockey team defeated Canada in the Olympic final, winning gold in overtime.
• Alysa Liu finished third in the preliminary round; Isabeau Levito placed eighth and Amber Glenn thirteenth.
• According to The New York Times, Liu stepped away from skating at age 16 to gain more control over her career.
• The women's figure skating medal event took place Thursday, following preliminary performances earlier in the week.

What Happened

Alysa Liu won Olympic gold in women's figure skating, marking the first U.S. victory in the event since 2002. The U.S. women's hockey team won gold by defeating Canada in an overtime final. Liu's win followed a third-place finish in the preliminary round, while Levito and Glenn placed eighth and thirteenth respectively.

Why It Matters

Liu's achievement ends a 20-year gap for U.S. women's figure skating gold, as reported by several sources. The U.S. women's hockey team winning gold against Canada continues the rivalry between the two teams, with both nations having a history of strong performances in Olympic women's hockey. Duration of U.S. figure skating medal drought varies by source: some report 20 years, others 24 years.