
Hey, so can we just talk for a sec about Alysa Liu? You know, the super talented figure skater? Yeah, her. And I’m not talking about her latest triple axel or anything. I’m talking about the stuff that really doesn't matter, but somehow people love to talk about. You know what I'm getting at, right? Her weight. Ugh.
Seriously, it’s like a broken record. Every time her name pops up, there it is, lurking in the background. "Is she too thin?" "Is she gaining weight?" Like we’re all armchair nutritionists and gymnastics coaches rolled into one. It’s wild, isn’t it? And honestly, it’s getting a little old.
Because here’s the thing, and this is where we’re all supposed to nod our heads in agreement over our lattes: Alysa Liu's weight is absolutely, unequivocally, 100% irrelevant to her Olympic success. Say it with me. Irrelevant.
Think about it. What makes a figure skater great? Is it the number on a scale? Is it whether she fits into a certain size of sparkly costume? Absolutely not. It’s about the skill, the power, the grace. It’s about the dedication that goes into those grueling practices, the mental fortitude to land a jump that’s basically defying gravity. That’s what we should be focusing on, right?
But no. We get bogged down in the superficial. It's like judging a painter by the thickness of their brushes, or a musician by the brand of their instrument. It just doesn't compute.
And let's be real for a second. Figure skating is a sport that requires an insane amount of athleticism. It's not just about looking pretty out there. It's about being strong. It's about having explosive power to get yourself up in the air for those quadruple jumps – which, by the way, Alysa was doing at an age when most of us were still figuring out how to tie our shoelaces. That takes some serious physical capability.

So, if she’s performing those incredible feats of athleticism, what does her weight have to do with anything? Nothing. It’s like saying a race car driver’s success depends on the color of their car. Does the aerodynamics change because it’s blue instead of red? Come on.
The "Too Thin" Fallacy
This whole "too thin" thing? It's a tired trope. For decades, we've seen images of female athletes, and for some reason, there's always this whisper campaign about their bodies. If they're too muscular, they're "masculine." If they're too lean, they're "unhealthy." It's a no-win situation, isn't it?
And for Alysa, who is incredibly talented and pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport, this scrutiny is just… baffling. She’s landing jumps that most male skaters struggle with. She’s executing routines with a level of complexity that is mind-blowing. And yet, we’re supposed to be worried about her BMI? It’s absurd.
Think about the years of training. The sacrifices. The early mornings, the late nights. The sheer grit it takes to reach that elite level. All of that builds a powerful, capable body. And that body, whatever its exact measurements, is the instrument of her success. It’s the vessel that allows her to fly across the ice.

It’s also important to remember that everyone’s body is different. Athletes, especially, have bodies that are finely tuned for their specific sport. What looks a certain way on the outside doesn't necessarily tell the whole story of their strength, their endurance, or their overall health.
The Pressure Cooker of Elite Sports
Let’s not forget the immense pressure these athletes are under. They’re not just competing against each other; they’re competing against themselves, against expectations, and sometimes, unfortunately, against the public’s often misguided opinions. Adding discussions about their weight to that already stressful environment? It’s just adding unnecessary noise.
Imagine being a young person, dedicating your entire life to a sport, and then having to deal with people dissecting your body. It’s a lot. It’s really a lot. And it takes away from the magic of what they’re actually doing.
We should be celebrating the incredible performances, the artistry, the sheer athleticism. We should be marveling at the dedication and the passion. Instead, we get sidetracked by conversations that are frankly, unproductive and kind of mean-spirited.

It’s like we forget that these are human beings. They have bodies that change, just like everyone else. And their bodies are designed to do amazing things on the ice. That’s the point. That’s the spectacle. That’s what we’re paying to see.
Focus on the Freestyle, Not the Fat-igue
So, next time you’re watching Alysa Liu, or any other incredible female athlete, try this little mental exercise. When your brain starts to drift towards "Oh, she looks a little bit thinner/thicker," just… gently steer it back. Redirect. Think about the sheer audacity of that triple Lutz. Think about the perfect spin. Think about the flow, the expression, the story she's telling with her body.
That’s where the real story is. That’s where the magic happens. Her weight is just… a number. And frankly, a number that has absolutely zero bearing on whether she can execute a flawless quadruple Salchow. Zero.
It's about the jumps, the spins, the footwork, the choreography. It's about the technical prowess and the artistic expression. It's about her heart and her hustle. Those are the things that matter. Those are the things that earn medals.

Her body is her tool. It’s a finely tuned, incredibly powerful instrument that allows her to do what she does. And it’s working, isn’t it? She’s out there, competing at the highest level, performing at a world-class standard. If her weight was a genuine impediment to her success, believe me, the results would speak for themselves. And they’re not.
So, let’s agree. Let’s make a pact. We’re going to focus on the fire in her eyes, not the fluctuations on a scale. We’re going to admire the strength that allows her to soar, not obsess over the proportions that are none of our business. We’re going to celebrate the athlete, in all her powerful glory.
Because ultimately, Alysa Liu’s Olympic success is built on a foundation of talent, dedication, and sheer grit. Her weight is just a distraction, a red herring that gets in the way of appreciating the incredible human being and the phenomenal athlete she is. Let’s leave the body shaming to the internet trolls and focus on cheering for the real champion she is.
It’s about the jumps, the spins, the artistry. It’s about the dedication. It’s about the amazingness she brings to the ice. And that, my friends, is a story worth telling. Her weight? Not so much. 😉