The city of Oakland is preparing to throw a grand celebration in honor of its hometown hero, Alysa Liu, after her historic victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The 20-year-old figure skater made history as the first American woman in 24 years to win the gold medal in women’s singles. Her achievement has not only brought pride to Oakland but to the entire Bay Area, and officials are working with Liu’s team to finalize the date for a community-wide celebration.
“We are thrilled to honor Alysa Liu, the Olympic gold medalist who has filled our city with pride,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee in a recent Instagram post. “Her incredible accomplishment is a testament to her hard work, resilience, and the spirit of Oakland. We’re excited to bring our community together to celebrate her.” While the exact date of the event has not been set, city officials are coordinating with Liu’s schedule to ensure the celebration is well-timed.
Liu’s victory marked a historic moment for U.S. women’s figure skating, as it was the first Olympic gold in the discipline since Sarah Hughes’ triumph in 2002. She clinched the gold medal with a free skate performance set to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite,” scoring 226.79 points overall and earning the highest free skate score of the night with 150.20 points. Her flawless performance was a standout, with no negative execution grades on any element, solidifying her place in history.
Earlier in the Games, Liu also contributed to Team USA’s gold medal in the team event, further cementing her status as a rising star in the sport. The victory was especially significant for the Bay Area, where Liu trains at the Oakland Ice Center. Her win not only marked a personal achievement but also continued the legacy of Olympic figure skaters from the region. Liu is the third female figure skater from the Bay Area to win Olympic gold, following in the footsteps of Kristi Yamaguchi (1992) and Peggy Fleming (1968).
The excitement around Liu’s victory has been palpable throughout the region. Upon her return to the Bay Area, she was greeted with a hero’s welcome at San Francisco International Airport, where a crowd of well-wishers cheered and congratulated her. Fentons Creamery, a local Oakland institution, even offered “ice cream for life” in honor of her gold medal performance, further reflecting the city’s overwhelming pride.
At the Oakland Ice Center, around 100 fans gathered to watch Liu’s free skate live, showing the deep connection between Liu and her community. Candy Goodson, the facility’s director of skating, remarked, “Alysa is carrying the torch for the Bay Area, and we hope she continues to take it to the top.”
The upcoming citywide celebration will be a chance for Oakland to officially recognize Liu’s historic achievement and celebrate the resilience and joy she embodies. The city’s leaders have expressed their desire for the event to reflect the significance of her accomplishment—not just as a sports milestone but as a symbol of Oakland’s heart, grit, and determination.
As Liu’s Olympic journey continues to inspire future generations, Oakland’s planned celebration promises to be a fitting tribute to her remarkable success and a testament to the power of community.
