Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu honored at Oakland City Hall rally

After winning two gold medals at the Winter Olympics, Alysa Liu received a hero's welcome at a hometown celebration in Oakland.

Thousands gathered at Frank Ogawa Plaza outside City Hall Thursday afternoon to celebrate the Olympic champion.

"This is crazy! I see so many people," Liu told the crowd as she received the key to the city from Mayor Barbara Lee.

"I love Oakland, I've been here all my life," Liu said, pointing to the nearby Oakland Ice Center where she trains. "I could not be more proud to represent Oakland out on the big stage at the Olympics."

While introducing the gold medalist, Lee said the Olympic champion represents the best of Oakland.

" The determination, her creativity and yes, her courage," Lee said. "She is fearless, she is focused, and she is fully herself. She grew up here in our town and now the world, the entire world, knows her name."

The celebration featured a who's who of Oakland and the East Bay. Olympic gold medal figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, who grew up in Fremont, and gold medal boxer Andre Ward were on stage at the event. The rally was closed with a performance by Oakland musician Kehlani, who recently won Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance.

Speaking at a news conference before the event, Liu said, "I'm really excited for today's rally, I am in for a lot of surprises. I didn't want to know anything beforehand, so pretty stoked."

Liu also talked about growing up in the East Bay.

""My environment did shape me, because this is such a great place and I'm so lucky to grow up here and still live here today," she said.

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Liu became the first U.S. woman in 24 years to win an individual gold medal in figure skating. She also won gold in the team figure skating event.

Liu grew up in Oakland, trained at the Oakland Ice Center, and became the youngest women's champion in history at the age of 13, before suddenly retiring following the 2022 Olympics and making a comeback to the sport two years later.