US Figure Skating Star Isabeau Levito Declares 'You Can't Evict Me' from Olympic Village
Team USA figure skating sensation Isabeau Levito is thoroughly enjoying her debut Winter Olympics experience, with the athlete's village becoming an unexpected highlight of her time in Milan. The young skater has humorously but firmly told organisers she has no intention of leaving the Olympic accommodation anytime soon.
Levito's Enthusiastic Embrace of Olympic Life
Isabeau Levito has made it abundantly clear that she's in no hurry to depart the Olympic Village as she savours every moment of her first Games appearance. "I've spent every night in the [Olympic] Village," Levito told NBC. "It's been everything and more. And you can't evict me."
The American prodigy further elaborated on her enjoyment of the Olympic experience, stating: "I don't think there's anything not to enjoy [about the Olympic Village]. I haven't even gotten to compete yet, and I feel like my experience is already complete. Not complete, but I'm having a blast. The best time."
High Stakes for Team USA in Figure Skating Competition
The Winter Olympics have delivered numerous dramatic moments during the opening two weeks, with Team USA placing significant hopes on their figure skating contingent to end a two-decade medal drought. Not a single American woman has claimed an individual figure skating medal at the Winter Olympics since Sasha Cohen secured silver in 2006.
Levito joins teammates Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn in carrying medal aspirations across both the women's free skate and short programme disciplines. Their performances come at a crucial time for American figure skating, following fellow countryman Ilia Malinin's disappointing showing that saw him miss out on a podium finish earlier in the competition.
Personal Connection to Host City Milan
Levito's Olympic journey carries special significance as the Games are being held in Milan, a city with deep personal connections for the young athlete. "Insane how, yes, I have family from Italy, but Milan specifically is where my family is from," Levito revealed. "I think it's cool to be going to the Olympics in a place where I don't feel like much of a foreigner."
This marks Levito's first age-eligible Olympic appearance after being too young to qualify for the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022 when she was just 14 years old. Her mother hails from Milan, and family members still reside in the Italian city, adding emotional weight to her competition.
Competitive Outlook and Career Trajectory
Despite Japan's Kaori Sakamoto being considered the clear favourite for gold in the women's free skate finals, Levito remains determined to make her mark on the competition. The American skater expressed her excitement about representing her country on the global stage, saying: "It is insane to have the opportunity to represent the country like that and to be one of the top three skaters to be sent is crazy."
Levito's short programme features a medley of Sophia Loren songs, a fitting tribute to the Italian host nation. Her competitive credentials are impressive:
- Made international debut in 2021-2022 season as U.S. national junior champion
- Won bronze at her first U.S. nationals as a senior competitor
- Clinched title in maiden appearance at World Junior Championships in 2022
- Secured world silver medal in 2024
Ultimately, Levito's Olympic experience will be further enhanced if she performs well and potentially secures a medal in the coming days. Her enthusiastic embrace of Olympic village life suggests she's determined to extract maximum enjoyment from her first Games appearance, regardless of competitive outcomes.
