Intrinsic motivation and self-actualization

Coach Jackie does a nice job in this video pulling out the significance of this moment. A major part of this story is coaching, but more so, Liu’s personal journey and autonomy. Jackie discusses how Liu retired at age 16 in 2022, only to return to the sport on her own terms in 2024. The video emphasizes that this new Liu is defined by her own choices and her own intrinsic motivation. Liu’s joy on the ice was palpable.

Liu’s victory was not just as a technical win, but also a win for doing things your own way and for your own reasons. Despite sitting in third place after the short program, Liu’s near-flawless free skate and her obvious happiness allowed her to overtake the field. Taking gold at the Olympics, especially in this way, is taking gold in self-actualization.