Eileen Gu, one of freestyle skiing’s brightest stars, recently shared that she received heartbreaking personal news just moments after celebrating an Olympic gold medal. The 22-year-old athlete, born in San Francisco, was eligible to compete for the United States but chose to represent China, honoring her mother’s heritage. Over the past several years, Gu has become a global figure in winter sports, admired not only for her technical skill but also for her poise under pressure.
Gu made history at the 2022 Winter Olympics, where she captured gold medals in big air and halfpipe, along with a silver in slopestyle. Her achievements established her as one of the most decorated freestyle skiers in Olympic competition. At the subsequent Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, she added to her medal collection with another gold and two silver medals. She earned silvers in big air and slopestyle and secured gold once again in the halfpipe, reaffirming her status among the sport’s elite competitors.
Despite her athletic success, this latest victory came during an emotionally challenging time. Gu had entered the Games aware that her maternal grandmother, Feng Guozhen, was seriously ill. Shortly after winning gold, she learned that her grandmother had passed away. Speaking openly about the moment, Gu explained that her grandmother had been an important source of strength and inspiration throughout her life. She shared that her middle name, “Feng,” is a tribute to her grandmother, reflecting the deep bond they shared.
Gu described her grandmother as a strong and determined woman whose resilience left a lasting impression on her. Before leaving for the Olympics, she had promised to be brave and to approach life with the same courage her grandmother demonstrated. Rather than focusing solely on victory, Gu emphasized the importance of honoring that promise by taking risks and believing in herself. While celebrating her medal, she acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the moment—balancing pride in her performance with the sadness of personal loss. Her story highlights not only her athletic excellence but also her humanity, reminding fans that even at the highest levels of sport, athletes experience profound personal challenges behind the scenes.