With three strong contenders for the podium in the women’s Olympic figure skating competition, the United States’ hopes now rest almost completely on Alysa Liu, who finished in third place in the short program on Tuesday. The reigning world champion could end the United States’ 20-year Olympic medal drought in the women’s singles competition. The last U.S. woman to stand on an Olympic podium was Sasha Cohen in 2006. The United States was primed to end the drought with Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito, but only Liu is in the top six after the short program. Levito was the last U.S. skater to take Olympic ice after not participating in the team program.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 17, 2026 22:58 UTC