Alysa Liu withdraws from World Championships after Olympic gold success
Olympic champion Alysa Liu has withdrawn from the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships in Prague following her historic success at the Milan Cortina Games.
The 20-year-old recently became the first American woman to win Olympic gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
Sarah Everhardt has been called up to replace Liu on the United States team after first alternate Bradie Tennell declined the invitation.
A golden return to the ice
Liu’s withdrawal comes at the end of a remarkable comeback season for the skater.
Having retired after the Beijing 2022 Games, she returned to the sport to win the world title in Boston last year.
The American star cemented her legacy in Italy last month by claiming two gold medals, helping the US defend its Olympic team title alongside her individual triumph.
Liu would have competed alongside team-mates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito when the event begins on 24 March at the O2 Arena.
Post-Olympic exodus
It is not uncommon for Olympic medallists to skip the World Championships immediately following the Winter Games.
Many elite skaters choose to begin their off-season early to recover from the physical and mental exertion of the Olympic cycle.
Liu is not the only high-profile name to pull out of the competition in the Czech Republic.
Japanese Olympic pairs champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have also confirmed their withdrawal.
Loena Hendrickx of Belgium, who finished 14th in Milan following an injury-plagued season, will also be absent from the women’s event.
