Tue Feb 24 19:40:00 UTC 2026: ### Hughes and Liu Realize Olympic Dreams: Letters from Young Prodigies Foreshadow Gold
The Story:
In 2019, The Athletic asked rising athletes Jack Hughes and Alysa Liu to write letters to their future selves on the day of their retirement. Seven years later, in 2026, both athletes achieved Olympic gold at the Winter Games. Hughes scored the golden goal in overtime to secure the men’s hockey title for Team USA, while Liu‘s performance in figure skating cemented her place in the sport’s history. The article revisits the letters they wrote as teenagers, revealing their aspirations and the hard work they envisioned leading to their success.
Key Points:
- Jack Hughes, in 2019, aimed to be the No. 1 draft pick and envisioned winning the Stanley Cup multiple times. He hoped to play alongside his brothers, Quinn and Luke, in the NHL and represent the United States at the Olympics.
- Alysa Liu, in 2019, focused on staying in the moment, landing quad jumps in competition, and breaking records. She dreamed of winning gold in 2022, staying on the podium at every nationals, traveling to Italy, and helping fight climate change.
- The article highlights the contrast between their youthful dreams and their current reality as Olympic champions in 2026.
Key Takeaways:
- Early goal-setting and dedication can be crucial for achieving elite athletic success.
- The revisited letters provide a glimpse into the mindset and aspirations of young prodigies.
- The article underscores the power of dreaming big and the importance of hard work in realizing those dreams.
- The parallel success stories of Hughes and Liu offer inspiration to aspiring athletes.
First Piper 