In a surprising revelation following her historic victories at the 2026 Winter Olympics, U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu has clarified the correct pronunciation of her name, which was consistently mispronounced during her gold medal ceremonies. The 20-year-old athlete from the San Francisco Bay Area achieved a remarkable feat at the Milano Cortina Games, securing gold in both the figure skating team event and the women's individual singles event.
A Common Mispronunciation
During these triumphant moments, Liu's name was announced incorrectly, likened by some to how a barista might call out an order. In an Instagram snippet posted by Newsweek on Sunday, Liu shared the proper way to say her name, correcting a widespread assumption. Most people had been pronouncing her first name as "uh-LISS-uh," similar to Alyssa, but Liu explained that her family pronounces it "eh-LEEZ-uh," akin to the name Elise with an "A" at the end.
Liu's Response to the Errors
Despite the frequent mispronunciations, Liu appears to have grown accustomed to the errors. She noted that "Alyssa" is how her friends and the world refer to her, indicating a level of acceptance. Additionally, she addressed her last name, clarifying that Liu is pronounced "Lee-oh," not "Lu," which interestingly aligns with her astrological sign, Leo. Liu expressed a forgiving attitude, stating, "I personally don't care. That can be hard to pronunciate, and I don't expect people to know how to say that."
Historic Achievements and Public Reaction
Liu's accomplishments are significant, as she is the first U.S. woman to win gold in individual figure skating since 2002. This milestone has sparked discussions about the importance of correctly pronouncing athletes' names, especially in high-profile events like the Olympics. Her story highlights a broader issue of cultural sensitivity and recognition in sports.
A Censored Celebration
Beyond the name revelation, Liu made headlines for her unfiltered celebration after her gold-medal-winning free skate performance on February 19 in Milan, Italy. In a moment of pure excitement, she yelled, "That's what I'm fucking talking about!" into the camera. This exclamation was later censored by NBC on YouTube and social media platforms, adding another layer to her post-Olympic narrative.
As Liu continues to bask in her Olympic success, her candidness about name pronunciation and her spirited celebration have endeared her to fans worldwide, prompting calls for greater awareness and respect in how athletes' identities are honored.
