Oakland Celebrates Olympic Champion Alysa Liu with Hometown Rally
Nearly 5,000 people gathered in Oakland on Thursday afternoon to celebrate local hero Alysa Liu – a fitting homecoming for the two-time Olympic gold medalist who joyously shouted out the Bay Area city after her short program in Milan less than a month ago.
A Hometown Welcome
Scores of people arrived early Thursday to snag a seat close to the stage in front of City Hall at the free, ticketed event, which quickly sold out. Attendees showed their support with creative tributes, including striped wigs mirroring Liu’s famously dyed hair and handmade signs expressing pride for the figure skating icon.
Recognition from City Leaders and Celebrities
Alysa Liu was celebrated by local luminaries as a “home town hero.” Mayor Barbara Lee presented Liu with a key to the city, stating, “Every time she stepped on the ice, she carried the spirit of Oakland with her.” Representative Lateefah Simon added, “To all of us in Oakland, we know that she is our hero, but what I will tell you, brothers and sisters and siblings, she is an American hero.”
Liu responded to the cheers, saying, “What’s up, Oakland!” and “This is for y’all,” while displaying her gold medals.
Liu’s Connection to Oakland
While Liu’s family moved around the Bay Area, she identifies strongly with Oakland. She briefly attended Oakland School for the Arts and trained at the Oakland Ice Center, both within walking distance of City Hall.
An Improbable Comeback
Liu’s journey to Olympic gold was remarkable. She became the youngest US women’s figure-skating champion at age 13, placed sixth at the Beijing Olympics, and then surprisingly quit figure skating at 16. Years later, she returned to the sport, winning the 2025 world championships and ultimately achieving Olympic victories at the age of 20. She is the first US woman to win the individual figure-skating gold medal in 24 years.
Taking Time to Reflect
Liu shared that the two years she spent away from skating were beneficial. “I got to go to school, hang out with my friends, I got to take my siblings to and from school, run errands … I feel like had I not quit and stepped back, I would not have experienced all that. I’m really glad that I listened to myself,” she said.
Her coach, Phillip DiGuglielmo, emphasized her dedication, stating, “She relishes in the journey, every day. Whether it’s a good day, whether it’s a not-so-good-day.”
A Celebration of Local Talent
At Liu’s request, the celebration focused on showcasing local artists. Performances included Fremont High School’s drumline, a lion dance troupe from US Shaolin Kung Fu, and a rendition of “MacArthur Park” – the song Liu skated to during her Olympic free skate – by Abayomi Lewis, a student at Oakland School for the Arts and contestant on “American Idol.” The event also featured a performance by the Turfinc dance crew, with Liu joining them on stage.
Support from Bay Area Legends
Figure-skating legend Kristi Yamaguchi, a fellow Bay Area native and Olympic gold medalist, spoke at the rally, as did Olympic gold medal boxer Andre Ward. Video messages were also shared from Warriors coach Steve Kerr and NBA star Stephen Curry. Representatives from the Golden State Valkyries, Oakland Roots, and Oakland Ballers presented Liu with custom jerseys, a jacket, and a championship ring.
Kehlani Closes Out the Celebration
The event culminated in a performance by Grammy-award-winning R&B singer Kehlani, who also attended Oakland School for the Arts.
A Positive Reflection on Oakland
Musician ClayDough, an Oakland School for the Arts graduate, expressed the significance of the event, saying, “It’s been truly amazing to spot how she’s put Oakland onto a global stage. We get a lot of negative stuff in the news. Some of that is valid, but this makes me really happy to see us shown positively.”