Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Alysa Liu Tribute in L.A. Draws Attention

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rolly Gacelo | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 11:02 PM ET

Figure skater Alysa Liu is already a legend at 20 years old by winning two gold medals at the recently concluded Winter Olympics—one in the women’s singles event and another in the team event.

Liu became the youngest-ever U.S. women’s national champion when she won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the age of 13. She could have built on that momentum, but she abruptly retired and skipped the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

She walked away from the sport but returned as if she had never left, delivering a dominant performance in Milan Cortina. Her latest achievements cement her legacy in figure skating as one of the best to ever do it.

California is making sure her legacy is immortalized. The Oakland city government said it is planning a grand celebration for Liu, who was born in Richmond.

“The City of Oakland is planning a community-wide celebration to honor Olympic gold medalist and Oakland’s hometown hero Alysa Liu!

“Alysa represents the heart, grit, resilience, and joy of Oakland. Her achievement has filled our city with pride, and we are coordinating with her team now to finalize a date so the community can celebrate her together. Stay tuned for details coming soon."

Alysa Liu shows off her gold medal in the women's free skateJames Lang-Imagn Images

Liu is no longer just Oakland's daughter, as her popularity continues to grow. Artist Gustavo Zermeño Jr. from Venice Beach decided to pay tribute to the figure skating icon through a mural.

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The artwork caught attention of people. Even the U.S. Figure Skating IG account was stunned.

"brb booking a flight to cali ," it wrote on the comments.

Toy company Barbie joined the fun and wrote, "You’re in for a colorful day with this masterpiece ".

A powerful artwork is one of the most fitting tribute to Liu who has been very outspoken about her craft.

“It was the best thing I could have done for myself,” she said about her latest Olympics stint.

“Through retirement, I realized I am a little bit like a creative person, and I have these ideas. I have my own sense of fashion and I’m a little bit stubborn with it. I love choreography and music, and I do it on my own terms. No one tells me what to do.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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