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Alysa Liu experienced a historic night at the Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina 2026. After winning gold, she shared the podium with Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, who took silver, and Ami Nakai, who earned bronze. Both Japanese skaters appeared impressed by Liu's performance.
Kaori noticed Alysa looking confused as she moved the plush mascot around, trying to position it the way her Japanese competitors had done, but she couldn't quite figure it out. The silver medalist in figure skating stepped in to help her place it the same way they had.
Sweet and unexpected Olympic moment
The moment was as spontaneous as it was heartwarming. With the gold medal already hanging around her neck, Alysa Liu was preparing to listen to the United States national anthem when she seemed unsure how to hold the traditional plush toy given during the ceremony. Amid laughter and knowing glances, Kaori Sakamoto approached to help her hold it properly, creating a scene of sportsmanship that quickly went viral. Beyond the protocol, it was a human moment that showed the closeness and respect among the three medalists.
Some Japanese fans jokingly said she might need a "Kagiyama-style Japanese baby carrier class," but the scene ultimately stood out for its spirit of camaraderie and fair play as the competition came to an end.
The plush toy is not just a simple gift; it is a relatively recent Olympic tradition. Since Turin 2006, each host city has designed an official mascot and presented a plush version to athletes on the podium as a symbolic keepsake of the Games. In Milano Cortina 2026, the mascot represents Italian cultural identity and the alpine spirit of the host region. That is why Alysa had it in her hands: it is part of the official medal ceremony ritual and symbolizes that her name is now forever linked to this edition of the Olympics.
What happened in the competition?
Alysa Liu delivered a near perfect performance to "MacArthur Park Suite," scoring 226.79 points to secure the gold medal.
Kaori Sakamoto, the favorite and three-time world champion, claimed silver with 224.90 despite a crucial technical error.
Seventeen year old Ami Nakai completed the surprise with bronze, shining with technical elements such as the triple Axel.
The result has also been described as a story of perseverance for Liu, who temporarily stepped away from the sport due to burnout after the Beijing 2022 Games and returned stronger on her own terms in 2024.
Liu's victory not only ended a long gold drought for the United States in this event, but it also highlights a broader trend in figure skating: young athletes balancing technical success, personal style, and a healthier relationship with the sport.
Sakamoto, for her part, announced that this could mark the end of her competitive career, adding an emotional layer to her silver medal.
The camaraderie, hugs, smiles, and mutual respect among the three medalists is being widely praised as one of the most beautiful stories of these Winter Olympic Games.