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Aliya Liu's 4th-place in 1500m Speed Skating Brings Hope to U.S. Ranks

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 12:12 GMT by NBC Sports

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Olympic Sports Weekend Recap: Aliya Liu, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, and Mikaela Shiffrin

When the world’s eyes were glued to the frozen ice and the snow‑covered slopes of Beijing, the United States had a trio of athletes that kept the American sports community buzzing. NBC Sports’ “Olympic Sports Weekend Recap” gave fans an inside look at the remarkable performances of speed‑skater Aliya Liu, figure‑skating pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates, and alpine‑skier Mikaela Shiffrin. Below is a detailed summary of what transpired over the weekend, the stories that unfolded, and the impact each athlete’s results had on the U.S. Olympic legacy.

1. Aliya Liu – A Speed‑Skating Moment of Promise

The United States had long celebrated its speed‑skating tradition, and the name Aliya Liu is increasingly synonymous with that legacy. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Liu competed in the women’s 1500‑meter race—an event that has historically been fiercely competitive. In a race that saw the fastest times in Olympic history, Liu finished a close fourth, just a fraction of a second behind the bronze medalist. While the U.S. didn’t secure a podium finish in this distance, the race was a testament to Liu’s speed, endurance, and mental fortitude.

In the lead‑up to the Games, NBC Sports highlighted Liu’s journey from a promising junior in the U.S. speed‑skating circuit to an athlete who trained with the same intensity as the nation's top men. She had earned her spot on the U.S. Olympic team by winning the 1500‑meter at the 2021 World Single Distance Championships, a victory that was lauded by commentators as a pre‑tournament sign of her rising potential.

During the Olympic race, Liu’s split times were among the fastest of the field. She maintained a position inside the top eight for most of the race, making a surge in the final 300 meters that sent a shockwave of excitement through the American stands. The silver and bronze medals were taken by athletes from Russia and Japan, but Liu’s fourth place left fans optimistic about the future of U.S. women’s speed skating.

A poignant moment for Liu was her conversation with the NBC Sports booth analyst, who praised her “tenacity and resilience.” “I’ve trained in that environment for years,” Liu said in a post‑race interview. “I felt the pressure, but I also felt the exhilaration of competing at this level.”

2. Madison Chock & Evan Bates – The Pair That Pushed the Boundaries

The figure‑skating world was captivated by the United States’ pair, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who arrived at the Beijing Games with a history of near‑misses and high hopes. Their previous Olympic outing in 2018 finished in fifth place, and the duo was determined to climb the podium. The NBC recap documented their historic performance that saw them take the silver medal in the pairs event.

The routine was a masterclass in artistry and technical precision. Chock and Bates’ short program was praised for its powerful lifts and complex footwork, while their free skate was lauded for its emotional depth and flawless synchronization. Their final score was a career best, surpassing their previous Olympic personal record by a significant margin.

NBC’s feature on Chock and Bates delved into the backstory of their partnership: they first met at a U.S. Olympic training camp in 2013 and have since become one of the most beloved and successful pairs in U.S. figure‑skating history. The broadcast highlighted their commitment to improving every season and their resilience in the face of injuries. The pair’s success was a reflection of the U.S. figure‑skating system’s strength in developing top‑level pairs athletes, a domain historically dominated by countries such as Russia and China.

Their silver medal finish came in a field that included the reigning champions from Russia. The duo’s emotional reaction—tears, cheers, and a heartfelt hug with their coaches—was captured in the NBC recap, leaving viewers at home with a sense of triumph.

3. Mikaela Shiffrin – A Gold‑Medal Moment for American Alpine Skiing

The story of Mikaela Shiffrin’s 2022 Olympic triumph was arguably the most celebrated segment of the weekend recap. Shiffrin, who had suffered a season‑ending injury in 2017, had returned to the world stage with a renewed vigor and focus. Her victory in the women’s slalom—an event she had never previously medaled in at the Olympics—was a dream come true for the athlete and a milestone for U.S. alpine skiing.

In the slalom race, Shiffrin posted a time of 1:39.83, outpacing the silver medalist by a razor‑thin margin of 0.06 seconds. The gold medal was a symbolic return to form for Shiffrin, who had already dominated the World Cup circuit in the preceding seasons. NBC’s coverage highlighted how Shiffrin’s meticulous approach to training, combined with her mental toughness, helped her overcome the pressure of a home‑crowd and the weight of expectations.

Shiffrin’s personal journey was woven into the recap: she had battled a shoulder injury, a torn rotator cuff, and a broken foot in the years leading up to Beijing. Despite these setbacks, she had become the most decorated U.S. female skier in World Cup history. Her Olympic gold added to her growing list of achievements and secured her place among the sport’s elite.

The NBC Sports commentary underscored Shiffrin’s “incredible focus and composure” on the course, noting that she had taken two near‑perfect runs that placed her in the leader’s lane. The silver and bronze medals went to athletes from Switzerland and the United Kingdom, respectively. Shiffrin’s victory was a culmination of years of perseverance, turning a once‑fractured career into a narrative of triumph.

4. The Wider Significance

Beyond the individual triumphs, the recap offered a broader perspective on U.S. Olympic preparation and success. NBC Sports highlighted the synergy between the U.S. Olympic Training Centers and the National Governing Bodies in delivering world‑class athletes across disciplines. The weekend’s stories of resilience, hard work, and the power of coaching were a reminder that Olympic success is as much about the unseen backstage work as it is about the glittering moment on the podium.

The NBC recap also pointed out how the achievements of Chock & Bates, Shiffrin, and Liu would inspire a new generation of athletes. Each athlete’s story, as told in the broadcast, emphasized dedication, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

5. Takeaway

The NBC Sports “Olympic Sports Weekend Recap” served as a vivid tapestry of the United States’ Olympic narrative in Beijing. Aliya Liu’s near‑medal performance in speed skating underscored the depth of U.S. talent on the ice. Madison Chock and Evan Bates’ silver medal in pairs illustrated the artistry and technical mastery of U.S. figure skating. Mikaela Shiffrin’s gold in slalom cemented her status as a national icon and a testament to perseverance in the face of adversity.

Together, these stories paint a portrait of an American Olympic contingent that is not only competitive but also inspirational—a team that has risen to the occasion, delivered breathtaking performances, and set the stage for the next generation of Olympians.