Athleticism meets grace in figure skating, one of the Winter Olympics' most popular sports. Here's what you need to know.

Alysa Liu's short program, Madison Chock and Evan Bates' rhythm dance, Danny O'Shea and Ellie Kam's short program put the U.S. in first place.

The U.S. figure skating team hit the ice for its first competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Here's where things stand in the team event. (AP Photo)

Liu put her U.S. team in prime position to repeat its gold medal performance from 2022, by placing second in the women's short program.

Alysa Liu is back where she belongs. Liu, who became the youngest U.S. champion figure skater at age 13, then retired three years later after the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, put on a standout performance in her return to the sport’s biggest stage on Friday,