Oakland plans homecoming events for Alysa Liu after winning women’s Olympic figure skating gold in Milan
Olympic title sparks civic and community plans in the East Bay
Oakland officials and local organizations are preparing a public homecoming for Alysa Liu after the 20-year-old delivered the United States’ first Olympic gold in women’s singles figure skating since 2002. Liu won the event in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026, finishing with a winning total of 226.79 points over Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto (silver) and Ami Nakai (bronze).
City leaders signaled that a formal celebration is expected once Liu returns to the Bay Area, framing the moment as both an athletic milestone and a point of pride for Oakland institutions where she trained and studied. Specific details about timing and location of a city-led event had not been finalized publicly as of Feb. 20.
Roots in Oakland’s skating community and arts education
Liu’s local ties are central to the city’s celebration plans. She began skating as a child at the Oakland Ice Center in Uptown, a facility that has served as a gathering point for watch parties and youth programs during the Winter Games. Liu also attended the Oakland School for the Arts, which publicly marked her victory as an alumnus achievement.
In recent days, community groups and local agencies have amplified congratulations and calls for an Oakland-area parade or rally. Separately, the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce staged a Feb. 19 watch event at the Oakland Ice Center as Liu competed in the Olympic final.
Private businesses join the public recognition
Beyond city planning, Oakland businesses have moved quickly to associate with the celebration. Fentons Creamery, the longtime Piedmont Avenue ice cream shop, announced an “ice cream for life” offer for Liu and indicated interest in hosting a homecoming gathering. The gesture reflects a broader pattern of neighborhood institutions using the moment to draw residents into shared celebrations.
A historic result shaped by a comeback narrative
Liu’s Olympic title follows a career arc that included stepping away from elite competition in 2022 and returning to the sport ahead of the 2026 cycle. In Milan, she combined a high-scoring short program with a free skate that secured the top overall total, ending a 24-year gap since the last U.S. women’s Olympic singles gold.
Event: Women’s singles figure skating (Milano Cortina 2026)
Date of gold-medal performance: Feb. 19, 2026
Winning score: 226.79 total points
Oakland’s planned homecoming is expected to blend civic recognition, youth-skating visibility, and neighborhood-led events as the city marks a rare Olympic champion with deep local ties.