Gold Medal for Eileen Gu at 2026 Winter Olympics

American-born skier Eileen Gu, competing for Team China, has clinched a gold medal in the women’s freeski halfpipe event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Gu secured her gold during the final run with a score of 94.75, edging out her closest competitor by a mere 0.75 points. Her teammate, Li Fangui, placed second with a score of 93.00, while Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin took home the bronze with 92.50 points.

On her second attempt, Gu recorded 94.00 points, marking her second consecutive gold medal in this discipline.

Throughout the Milan-Cortina Games, Gu collected three medals: gold in halfpipe, silver in big air, and silver in slopestyle, bringing her medal tally to six in her career.

She is now the most decorated freeskier in Olympic history, a fact she proudly emphasized. “What I love about this record is it transcends gender,” Gu stated. “I’m the most decorated freeskier of all time, regardless of male or female. It reflects competitiveness and mental strength, as well as the ability to perform under pressure.”

Gu has faced contention, particularly from U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who criticized her decision to represent China. Vance remarked, during an interview, that athletes from the U.S. who benefited from its educational system should naturally compete for their home country. He expressed his intent to support American athletes, remarking, “Some compete who identify as American. Those are the people I’m rooting for.”

In response, Gu shared her view of being a “punching bag” in certain political contexts in the U.S. She suggested that critics lump China into a single category, fueling their discontent towards her representation. “The issue is not with me personally,” she explained.

In past incidents, Gu has disclosed experiences of being “physically assaulted” after announcing her decision to compete for China.