Featured Image Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Topics: Sport, Olympics, Instagram, Social Media, US News
Ellie Kemp
Topics: Sport, Olympics, Instagram, Social Media, US News
Double gold-winning Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu hit out at fans being 'all up in her space' after she was swarmed at an airport.
The 20-year-old Team USA star has been thrust into the mainstream following her dazzling performances at this year's Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
Not only did she stand out with her horizontal-striped hair and 'smiley' piercing, but the sports star won two gold medals on the ice; one for the women's singles title, and another for her team's short program performance.
Alysa's victory made history for the US Olympic team, as she is the first US Olympic champion in women's figure skating in more than 20 years, since Sarah Hughes claimed victory in 2002. She is also the first medallist from Team USA since Sasha Cohen in 2006.
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Speaking after her victory, she said: "My family is out there, my friends are out there. I had to put on a show for them.
"When I see other people smiling, because I see them in the audience, I have to smile, too. I have no poker face."
But Alysa, who was born in Clovis, California, recently took to Instagram to recall an unsettling incident that saw someone 'chase her' to her car after landing at an airport.
Posting to her Stories on Wednesday (March 4), she said: "So I land at the airport, & there's a crowd waiting at the exit with cameras & things for me to sign. All up in my personal space. Someone chased me to my car bruh. Please do not do that to me."
While many athletes dream of Olympic glory, the sudden wave of attention that follows can be overwhelming - especially when people cross such personal boundaries.
For Alysa, who only recently stepped back into the spotlight after taking a break from competitive skating in 2022, the rapid rise to global stardom has been intense.
But the athlete revealed that after her double Olympic victory, she let loose for five days, spending time with friends - as any 20-year-old would want to do.
She told Teen Vogue: "After I won, [there] was no sleep…. I went home and I literally did whatever I wanted for five days. I didn't have any media, and I had no commitments, so it was really great. I got to see a lot of my friends again, and just relax and catch up on sleep. I skated twice just because I wanted to.”
People on social media have praised Alysa for her approach and realness, with one X user calling her a 'role model' for young women everywhere, especially amid the backdrop of toxic hustle culture.
"Young skaters can now grow up idolizing someone who isn’t afraid to rest, eat, and be true to themselves," another person commented.
"I can't help celebrating a woman succeeding with good values," somebody else wrote.
"She's definitely a good role model for the younger generation - to be a good person, be herself, enjoy what she's doing, and stay strong while holding onto those good values and vibes."