Olympic champ Alysa Liu withdraws from figure skating worlds

"Liu, 20, who retired after the 2022 Beijing Games only to launch a triumphant comeback two years later, became the first American woman since Kimmie Meissner in 2006 to win the world title last year in Boston. She followed up with the first Olympic gold medal for a U.S. woman since Sarah Hughes in 2002 when she stood atop the podium last month at the Milan Cortina Games."

"Liu has quickly become a star, not only because of her success but also because her attitude and style. Once burned out by the sport, she returned with a fresh, happy-go-lucky outlook, and that positive vibe served her well amid the pressure of the Winter Games."

"It is common for Olympic athletes to skip the following world championships. The season is long enough with the first events taking place in early fall, and many choose to begin their offseason early after the stress of performing at the Winter Games."

Alysa Liu, the defending world champion and recent Olympic gold medalist, has withdrawn from the world championships scheduled for March 24 in Prague. Liu won two gold medals at the Milan Cortina Games—one in women's singles and one as part of the U.S. team event. The 20-year-old became the first American woman since Sarah Hughes in 2002 to win Olympic gold in singles competition. Sarah Everhardt will replace Liu on the U.S. team. Liu's withdrawal is typical among Olympic athletes who choose to begin their offseason early after the demanding Winter Games season. Other notable athletes, including Japanese pairs champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, have also withdrawn from the world championships.

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