Eileen Gu stood atop the Olympic podium on Sunday with tears streaming down her face after a historic win. The freestyle ski icon secured another gold medal for China in the halfpipe event at the 2026 Winter Games. Yet her victory came just moments after receiving devastating news about her beloved grandmother.
Victory Shadowed by Personal Loss
The twenty two year old skier revealed that her tears were not for the gold medal draped around her neck. She learned on Sunday that her grandmother, Guozhen Feng, had passed away. Gu shared this heartbreaking update with reporters immediately after her final run.
She described her grandmother as the central figure of her childhood and her biggest inspiration.
“She was a really big part of my growing up and someone I looked up to immensely,” Gu said in an emotional interview.
The skiing prodigy explained how her grandmother commanded life and shaped her own destiny. Gu noted that Feng was a woman who took control of her path and never let go. This fierce spirit evidently passed down to her granddaughter who dominates the slopes today.
A Promise of Bravery
Gu knew her grandmother was sick before arriving in Italy for her second Winter Olympics. The last time they saw each other, the reality of the situation was clear to both of them. Gu did not promise a gold medal during that final meeting.
She instead promised something much more personal and profound.
“I did promise her that I was gonna be brave like she has been brave,” Gu stated.
Eileen Gu’s 2026 Olympic Medal Count:
- Gold: Freeski Halfpipe
- Silver: Freeski Slopestyle
- Silver: Freeski Big Air
She honored that vow by competing at the highest level despite her grief. Gu posted a tribute gallery on Instagram shortly after the news broke. She captioned the photos with a simple message about keeping her promise to be brave.
Rising Above the Pressure
The death of her grandmother adds another layer of complexity to an already intense Olympic campaign. Gu has faced significant scrutiny since choosing to compete for China in 2019. The pressure remains high as she represents her mother’s native country on the global stage.
Critics continue to attack her decision to switch sporting allegiances from the United States.
Gu acknowledged that this is a “really difficult time” for her personally. Yet she managed to block out the noise and the sorrow to perform when it mattered most. Her ability to focus under such extreme circumstances cements her status as a legendary athlete.
Inspiring a New Generation
Gu leaves these Winter Games as the most decorated freestyle skier in history. Her performance in Italy mirrors her dominant run at the Beijing 2022 Games. She now holds multiple gold medals across two different Olympics.
Key Achievements:
- First freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Olympics (2022).
- Repeated multi medal success in Italy (2026).
- Global ambassador for snow sports.
Her mission extends far beyond the podium and the record books. Gu reiterated her goal to bring freestyle skiing to a wider audience. She hopes her journey inspires young girls in China and around the world to pursue their dreams.
The young star proved on Sunday that resilience is just as important as physical skill. She skis not just for medals but to honor the legacy of the woman who raised her.
