Alysa Liu, Ilia Malinin News Announced After Winter Olympics
In a heartwarming post-Olympic development announced on February 25, 2026, U.S. figure skating stars Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin have been jointly nominated for the 96th AAU James E. Sullivan Award – one of America’s most prestigious honors recognizing the nation’s top amateur athlete for athletic performance, character, leadership, and sportsmanship.
The news comes hot on the heels of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where the two skaters delivered contrasting but impactful performances. Liu, 20, captured individual women’s gold in a stunning comeback free skate (first U.S. women’s singles Olympic title since Sarah Hughes in 2002), adding to her team event gold and cementing her as a dominant force. Malinin, 21 (the “Quad God” and reigning world champion), faced a tougher outing—finishing eighth in men’s singles after rare falls in his long program—but still contributed to Team USA’s team gold medal.
Despite the differing individual outcomes, both athletes are celebrated for elevating U.S. figure skating on the global stage. The Sullivan Award nomination highlights their excellence across the Games, with public voting open until March 5, 2026. Other notable nominees include Mikaela Shiffrin (skiing), Evan Bates and Madison Chock (ice dance), Azzi Fudd (basketball), and Ilona Maher (rugby).
The duo’s shared nod underscores their influence beyond results—Liu’s inspiring return from a two-year hiatus and Malinin’s groundbreaking quads have inspired a new generation. Fans are already rallying online to vote, with many calling it a “well-deserved” recognition for two of America’s brightest skating talents.
This isn’t their only post-Olympic spotlight: both are slated for the Stars on Ice tour starting in April 2026 (with U.S. dates from April 16 onward), and Malinin remains on the entry list for the March 2026 World Championships in Prague to chase a third straight world title. Liu, fresh off her Olympic triumph, has teased creative projects ahead while keeping competitive doors open.
