Irene Gu’s Discontent with Olympics Training Schedule
Irene Gu, the Olympic athlete from California who opted to ski for China instead of the U.S., has expressed her disappointment regarding the Milano-Cortina Olympics. She mentioned on Saturday that it feels “really unfair” that the event organizers haven’t facilitated her training schedule as well as that of her fellow competitors in the halfpipe event.
This situation arises as Gu strives to juggle her commitments across all three events she’s participating in: slopestyle, halfpipe, and big air. Recently, she competed in the big air final while also looking forward to the halfpipe training sessions coming up next week.
Gu, the only female freeskier entered in all three events, has voiced her thoughts on the Olympics before. For instance, she recently commented on President Trump’s remarks about fellow freestyle skier Hunter Hess, who found it challenging to “wear Team USA gear” amidst complex national issues.
Trump had labeled Hess a “real loser,” a comment Gu felt contradicted the spirit of the Olympic movement. “I believe criticism should foster unity, not division,” she said.
The 22-year-old athlete has reached out to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) for understanding regarding the difficulties of competing in Italy. She clarified she isn’t seeking special treatment; rather, she just wants to train as much as her peers. According to reports, she even suggested collaborating with snowboarders for halfpipe training, but the FIS rejected this idea, citing fairness concerns.
“I’m disappointed in FIS,” Gu admitted. “The Olympics should symbolize ambition, and achieving remarkable things ought to be recognized, not penalized.”
Following Monday’s big air finale, she will participate in halfpipe qualifiers on Thursday, with the finals taking place that Saturday, making her the highlight of the closing events at Action Sports Park.
“I think it’s quite unfair. Honestly, it feels like punishing someone who is merely trying to showcase their skills,” she lamented. “Balancing three events makes it nearly impossible to train effectively for the last one.”
Born in San Francisco, Gu has become one of the highest-paid Winter Olympians, reportedly earning around $23 million in 2025 through various partnerships, including with both Chinese and Western companies.
She has chosen to represent China in honor of her mother, who was born there. Interestingly, Gu has not publicly addressed China’s human rights issues, including the government’s actions against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang.
