Not long after winning her Olympic gold medal, United States star figure skater Alysa Liu was confirmed in the list as a competitor at the World Championships in late March.
“AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING! It’s official — figure skating stars are coming to Prague for the World Championships. A total of 11 out of 12 Olympic medalists are heading to the O2 arena. And that’s truly INCREDIBLE news. There’s definitely something to look forward to,” the ISU Figure Skating Championships Prague account said on Feb. 25.
In a recent interview, though, Liu started to sow some doubt on whether or not she’d actually compete in the event later this month. “I have maybe World Championships coming up,” she said. “I have yet to fully decide if I’m gonna do it, but I really want to.”
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Just hours later, she’s made up her mind.
According to the latest entry list from the ISU Figure Skating Championships website, Liu is officially listed as being substituted. Nineteen-year-old American figure skater Sarah Everhardt is listed as the Olympic gold medalist’s replacement for the event, which begin on March 24.
Those hoping for a glimpse of Liu will need to book a trip to California. The city of Oakland revealed it will hold a celebration rally on March 12 to welcome back the California native.
“Alysa Liu is Oakland – her drive, her brilliance, her joy,” said Mayor Lee. “Watching her claim gold for our city and our country filled every Oaklander with pride, and we are overjoyed to welcome her home.”
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