Thousands gathered to celebrate the Olympic gold medalist in Oakland, one block away from where her journey began
Bay Area residents gathered in droves Thursday to celebrate Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu — just one block away from where her figure-skating journey first began over 15 years ago. Liu, who was raised in Oakland , became last month the first U.
S. woman in 20 years to win an individual medal in Olympic figure skating and the first to win gold in 24 years. She was honored by thousands of supporters who converged on Frank Ogawa Plaza as part of a sold-out homecoming rally. Hosted by the Oakland-born radio and television host Sway Calloway, the event brought together dragon dancers, the Fremont High School drum line, turf dancing and other live performances to downtown Oakland for a celebration of one local’s monumental achievement. Organizers said the public display of hometown pride allowed them to showcase Oakland’s rich talent in areas such as sports and the arts while also commemorating how the city shaped Liu’s background.Growing up skating at the Oakland Ice Center, Liu said she remembered walking through Ogawa Plaza on a regular basis to get lunch at the nearby Oakland City Center, as well as days spent eating with her family at Chinatown’s many restaurants. Liu, who brought home two gold medals in figure skating from February’s Milan Cortina Olympics after a two-year hiatus from the sport, said she “could not be more proud” to represent Oakland on some of the world’s biggest stages. “This is such a great place, and I’m so lucky to grow up here and still live here today,” Liu said, who is the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport since Sarah Hughes in 2002. As part of Thursday’s celebration, Liu received a ceremonial key to the city from Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, who described Liu as someone who is “fearless,” “focused” and “fully herself.” Bay Area Olympians Kristi Yamaguchi, Andre Ward and Brian Boitano shared remarks highlighting Liu’s accomplishments. Local sports teams including the Oakland Roots, the Golden State Valkyries and Warriors, the Oakland Ballers presented Liu with custom apparel. Recording artist Kehlani, an alum of nearby Oakland School of the Arts, closed out the day with a special performance. Yamaguchi, who won the gold medal for women’s skating in 1992 and was raised in nearby Fremont, spoke of the pleasure of watching Liu, who has said she returned to competition more for the joy than the medals. Yamaguchi told the crowd that every time she has seen Liu take the ice, there has “always been a giant smile on my face and I’m so happy the world got to experience that as well. It’s just pure delight.”Lee said Thursday’s event gave community members far and wide a chance to come together. Ex // Top Stories How a team of ecologists keeps the Presidio beautiful The park as we know it wouldn’t be possible without caretakers who look after the land and its wildlife 'Macbeth' comes to SF, by way of 1970s NYC A ‘bold, boundary-pushing’ adaptation of Shakespeare’s Scottish play is premiering at the Magic Theatre this month Bay Bridge lights are returning — and businesses are beaming After a three-year hiatus, SF waterfront will have finally “got its sparkle back” as of March 20 “When Oakland celebrates one of our own, we show up,” Lee said to the crowd, which organizers said totaled about 7,000 people.Liu’s community ties were also seen in the number of teachers, students and parents from Oakland School of the Arts, her alma mater, who made the trip around the block to honor her triumph. Salim Catrina, an OSA parent from Pleasanton, said that her children and their friends went “wild” when they first heard of Liu’s rally. The students “work hard every day for some very big goals, so seeing something like this is so validating for them,” Catrina said. Educator Talia Krebs-Oppenheimer said she and her students from Bret Harte Middle School made the trip to Ogawa Plaza thanks to a suggestion from their music teacher, who said the rally was a great way of honoring Women’s History Month.She said the turnout, with a crowd spanning generations of Bay Area residents, “really shows that Oakland is a true community town.” Liu credited her two-year retirement after the 2022 Beijing Games with reigniting her passion for the sport. Time away from the rink allowed Liu to do activities like learning how to drive, taking her siblings to school and hanging out with friends. The sabbatical “wasn’t even really a break — it was just shifting and doing something different, which I think is equally as important,” Liu said in a press conference before the public celebration.Liu said that although she did not initially expect to leave Italy as a newfound Generation Z icon, she is both “grateful and just honored” at the fact that her story could inspire others to go after their own personal and professional accomplishments, particularly youths of color. “Representation matters so much,” she said. “We don’t really realize it, but having one person is all you need sometimes.” Liu said that chasing one’s dreams does require grit and determination, but that she is confident her fellow Gen Zers have what it takes to reach their ambitions. “A lot of my generation, we have that willpower,” Liu said. “I don’t even think I need to give them words of advice. I think they got it.”
Downtown Oakland Frank Ogawa Plaza Alysa Liu Winter Olympics Bay Area
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WATCH TOMORROW: Alysa Liu's Oakland hometown rally, celebration following Olympic gold medal winCan't make it to Alysa Liu's hometown rally and celebration in Oakland on Thursday? We've got you covered. Here's how to watch all the action on ABC7 Eyewitness News.
Read more »
Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu to be honored at Oakland City Hall rallyOakland, California, will honor its latest hometown hero, gold medalist Alysa Liu, with a large celebration and rally.
Read more »
Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu to be honored at Oakland City Hall rallyOakland, California, will honor its latest hometown hero, gold medalist Alysa Liu, with a large celebration and rally.
Read more »
Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu to be honored at Oakland City Hall rallyOakland, California, will honor its latest hometown hero, gold medalist Alysa Liu, with a large celebration and rally.
Read more »
Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu to be honored at Oakland City Hall rallyOakland, California, will honor its latest hometown hero, gold medalist Alysa Liu, with a large celebration and rally.
Read more »
Oakland celebrates Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu with downtown rallyOakland is hosting a public celebration for hometown hero and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu.
Read more »