Eileen Gu’s Silver Medal at 2026 Winter Olympics
Eileen Gu, the American freestyle skier competing for China, faced a challenging competition at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, ultimately taking home a silver medal in the women’s freeski big air event on Monday night. She was unable to defend her gold from the previous Olympics, with Canada’s Megan Oldham claiming the gold medal instead.
Gu scored 90.00 on her first attempt, placing her tied for third at that moment, behind Oldham and Austria’s Lara Wolf. However, her second run didn’t go as planned—she struggled with grip and ended up with a score of only 61.25, putting her out of contention for a top spot with just one run left.
On her final attempt, Gu managed to score 89.00, bringing her total to 179.00 points, but it wasn’t enough to surpass Oldham, who finished with a slight edge of 1.75 points. Italy’s Flora Tabanelli completed the podium with a bronze medal.
Despite the disappointment, Gu seemed unfazed, highlighting her accomplishments as a five-time Olympic medalist. She previously secured gold in both big air and halfpipe, along with a silver in slopestyle at the Beijing 2022 Olympics.
Interestingly, Gu expressed frustration with the Olympic schedule, stating it’s been overwhelming and hindered her ability to prepare adequately, especially with her involvement in three different events. “I’m disappointed in the FIS,” she mentioned. “I believe the Olympics should inspire, not restrict athletes trying to perform at their best.”
Gu’s decision to represent China instead of the U.S. was controversial, drawing mixed reactions, especially given her American upbringing in California and her ties to Stanford University. At the time of her decision, she acknowledged the complexities it brought and admitted it was difficult, particularly amid geopolitical tensions.
As the halfpipe qualifiers approach on Thursday, questions linger regarding her citizenship status. Given that China does not permit dual citizenship, it remains unclear whether Gu has relinquished her American citizenship. Meanwhile, she’s prepping for the upcoming competitions, aiming to add to her medal tally.
