Richmond's Liu helps anchor one of the U.S.'s strong Olympic figure skating teams

"Malinin, fresh off his fourth straight national title, will be the prohibitive favorite to follow in the footsteps of Nathan Chen by delivering another men's gold medal for the American squad when he steps on the ice at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. Chock and Bates, who won their record-setting seventh U.S. title Saturday night, also will be among the Olympic favorites, as will Liu and Glenn, fresh off her third consecutive national title."

"Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old reigning women's world champion from Richmond, is returning to the Olympics as a key member of one of the strongest U.S. Figure Skating teams in history. In addition to Liu, the U.S. squad will be anchored by reigning men's world champion Ilia Malinin, U.S. women's national champ Amber Glenn and the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates when they head to Italy for the Milan Cortina Olympics in less than a month."

Alysa Liu, 20, is returning to the Olympics as the reigning women's world champion after retiring briefly post-Beijing and reclaiming elite form. Ilia Malinin arrives as the reigning men's world champion and a heavy favorite following his fourth straight national title. Madison Chock and Evan Bates earned a record-setting seventh U.S. title and remain Olympic contenders. Amber Glenn captured her third consecutive U.S. national crown and joins Liu as a strong medal prospect. U.S. Figure Skating selected a 16-athlete squad for Milan Cortina, combining experienced Olympians and new qualifiers aiming for podium finishes.

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