Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu has withdrawn from the World Figure Skating Championships later this month, citing a desire to focus on “exciting things happening” since her return from the Winter Olympics in Milan.
“Hellooo as some of yall already know, I withdrew from Worlds,” Liu posted on her social media account Sunday. “There’s been a lot of exciting things happening since my return from Milan, so I’m taking some time for that. I will be cheering everyone on from afar. Observe yall next season!!”
The U.S. Team has named Sarah Everhardt to replace Liu in the competition, which begins March 25 in Prague, Czechia. Everhardt will be making her World Championship debut after consistently placing among the top five at the U.S. Championships in recent years. Joining Everhardt on the U.S. Women’s team are Olympians Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito.
Liu’s decision to withdraw is not uncommon for athletes following the Olympic Games, as many choose to prioritize rest and pursue other opportunities. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Liu became the first American woman to win Olympic gold in figure skating since Sarah Hughes in 2002, ending a 24-year drought for the U.S. In the event. She also became the first American to win a world title in women’s singles since Kimmie Meissner in 2006, a feat she accomplished in 2025.
The World Figure Skating Championships in Prague are scheduled to air on NBC Sports and Peacock from March 25-28.
