Figure skating-Liu's golden skate caps joyful comeback story

MILAN, Feb 19 : Four years after she stepped away from her sport saying she had lost her love for it, American Alysa Liu skated on Thursday night as though she had flicked the light back on in a long-darkened disco, and soared to Olympic women's gold.

Her joyful programme to Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park" - in a glittering gold dress with her striking brunette and platinum-blonde striped hair - felt much more about fun than perfection.

The reigning world champion started the day in third, but by the time she struck her final pose, pointing skyward, for a total score of 226.79 points, the gold medal felt almost like an afterthought to the grin she wore getting there.

Joy, it seems, is her competitive superpower.

"The most important part of my story is human connection," Liu said. "That's all I want in my life, human connection.

"And damn, now I connect with a hella ton of people. So that's my dream, and I am glad that I have my creative ideas and I can share those as well.

"I think my story is more important than anything (results or medals), and that's what I will hold dear. And this journey has been incredible."

Triple world champion Kaori Sakamoto secured silver with 224.90, ahead of Japanese teammate Ami Nakai, who claimed bronze with 219.16.

Liu returned to skating in 2024 on her terms.  

Her smile has drawn particular attention at the Milano Cortina Games because of her unique new frenulum piercing. She has a curved arrow piercing the tissue connecting the underside of her upper lip to her gums.

"I guess it's doing stuff that people tell you you shouldn't do. I've been doing a lot of that," Liu said. "I'm glad that a lot of people are now watching so that I can show them everything that I've come up with in my brain, share