Thousands of people gathered outside Oakland City Hall on Thursday, March 12th to enthusiastically welcome back figure skater Alysa Liu, who won two gold medals at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.
The event was organized by Visit Oakland, the Oakland city government, and Mayor Barbara Lee’s office, with co-sponsorship from Invisalign and PG&E. The atmosphere was festive as the crowd waved banners and cheered loudly to celebrate Liu’s outstanding achievements. Her father, beaming with joy, held up his phone to capture this historic moment.
Liu shone at the 2026 Winter Olympics, claiming the gold medal in women’s figure skating and the team mixed event. Mayor Barbara Lee presented her with the “Key to the City,” a symbol of the city’s highest honor. Liu proudly displayed her two gold medals on stage, telling the audience, “This belongs to all of you!”
She expressed gratitude for the support of the community, remarking that seeing so many people gather was “really amazing.” Speaking about the role she plays as an Asian American athlete, Liu emphasized the importance of representation, noting that witnessing someone’s success can be truly inspiring for others.
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon referred to Liu as an “American hero” in her speech, highlighting how Liu has demonstrated the values of excellence, confidence, and perseverance to the younger generation.
Born and raised in Oakland, Liu trained locally and graduated from the Oakland School for the Arts (OSA). Hundreds of OSA students were present at the event to cheer her on. School representatives mentioned that her success has been a huge inspiration for the students, instilling the belief that dreams can be achieved through hard work.
During a relaxed interaction with the host, Liu shared her emotional connection to her hometown. When asked about Oakland’s Chinatown, she humorously mentioned one of her favorite memories being the enjoyment of local cuisine. She encouraged everyone to explore the diverse dining options in Chinatown.
She also shared her life motto: “It’s really simple, it’s YOLO (You Only Live Once), so make the best of life.” When asked to describe Oakland in one word, she promptly replied, “Soul,” sparking loud cheers from the audience.
The celebration showcased Oakland’s multicultural features, with performances of lion dances and dragon dances on stage to honor Liu’s Asian cultural background. Local artists and groups were invited to perform, with renowned host Sway Calloway leading the event and Grammy-winning singer Kehlani as the finale.
Many people from various regions of the Bay Area attended the event to support Liu. Resident Grace Gomez from Oakland expressed that she came to witness the hometown Olympic champion’s glory. She praised Liu for her joyous and positive energy, considering her a great role model for the Oakland community and a source of inspiration for many young people and children.
39-year-old Oakland resident Jessica Kellogg shared her excitement at seeing an Olympic champion from Oakland. She believed that Liu’s performance at the Olympics was both inspiring and magical, serving as an exemplary figure for Oakland residents of all ages.
Oakland resident Ikram Mohammed, of African descent, expressed joy in joining the celebration and described Liu’s achievements as not only her personal glory but also a source of pride for the entire Bay Area.
Jenifer Hu, a student from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (ACCHS), and her classmates attended the event to celebrate Liu’s Olympic gold medals, feeling proud of the Chinese American athlete’s accomplishments in representing the United States. She mentioned that Liu’s father was a board member of the school, adding a special significance to their support for her. The school has been serving the Oakland community for over 40 years, aiming to pass on traditional medical wisdom like Chinese medicine and acupuncture while integrating with Western medicine to benefit more people.
Eloise Cheves, a 13-year-old student at OSA, expressed her admiration for Liu, who grew up in Oakland just like herself. Witnessing a local athlete become an Olympic gold medalist made her very proud. Another OSA student, 12-year-old Victoria Sen, who is also a figure skater, regarded Liu as a great figure skater and hoped to excel like her in the future.
Several guests and groups, including DJ D Sharp, Fremont High School drumline, Abayomi Lewis, Federal Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Oakland Chinatown Lion Dance Team, Skyline High School student Lina Nguyen, TURFinc dance group, and video well-wishers like Brian Boitano, Steve Kerr, and Steph Curry, participated in speeches or performances at the event.
Two Olympic gold medalists, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi from 1992 and boxer Andre Ward from 2004, also took the stage to commend Liu’s dedication and sportsmanship. Both praised Liu for her efforts and athletic spirit.
That day, many attendees from around the Bay Area came to join in the celebration. Wonbin Jung from San Jose drove about 40 minutes to Oakland to celebrate Liu. She believed Liu’s success stemmed from her ability to do things her way, unaffected by others’ expectations or restrictions, a spirit that she found admirable. Her companion, Michelle Yan, also attended to watch and support Liu.
The day’s festivities concluded with performances and speeches, showcasing a unity in celebration of Liu’s remarkable achievements and the inspiration she has brought to the community.