Eileen Gu's Emotional Press Conference Reveals Family Tragedy
Freestyle skiing champion Eileen Gu delivered a heartbreaking revelation at her Winter Olympics press conference, disclosing that she had just learned of her grandmother's passing moments after securing a gold medal in the halfpipe event. The 22-year-old athlete arrived late to the media session in Livigno, visibly distraught, as she shared the devastating news with reporters.
A Heartfelt Tribute to a Beloved Grandmother
Gu, fighting back tears, explained her tardiness by stating, "The reason I was late is that I just found out that my grandma passed away. She was a really big part of my life growing up and someone I looked up to immensely." While the exact timing of her grandmother's death remains unclear, Gu paid an emotional tribute, describing her as a strong and inspirational figure.
"She was so strong, she was a fighter," Gu continued. "I think what's so interesting is that a lot of people just cruise through life but she was a steamship. This woman commanded life and she grabbed it by the reins and she made it into what she wanted it to be and she inspired me so much."
Gu revealed that her grandmother had been very ill before the Olympics, making the loss a possibility she had anticipated. "The last time I saw her before I came to the Olympics she was very sick so I knew that this was a possibility," she said. "I didn't promise her that I was going to win but I did promise her that I was going to be brave like she has been brave and that's why I keep referring to this theme of betting on myself and being brave and taking risks."
Olympic Glory Amid Personal Grief
Despite the personal tragedy, Gu's performance at the Winter Olympics solidified her status as the most decorated Olympic freestyle skier in history, with six medals to her name. Reflecting on her achievements, she expressed immense pride in her resilience and dedication.
"I'm so proud of how I've done this Olympics," Gu stated. "I chose to do three events knowing that I had to train halfpipe in two months, knowing that I would miss the half-pipe training in case I made big air finals, which I also hadn't competed in in four years."
She likened the grueling schedule to a marathon run at the pace of a 100-meter dash, emphasizing the relentless effort required. "Every day is the Olympics. I have to give 100 per cent every day. So there's no day that I can just chill a little, because every day matters," Gu explained.
Her risk-taking paid off, as she now holds the record for the most gold medals of any freestyle skier, male or female. "I walk away as the most decorated free skier of all time, male or female, and the most gold medals of any free skier ever, male or female. And that is something that I'm so, so proud of. It's unbelievable to me. It's still surreal," she added.
Controversy and Criticism Over National Allegiance
Gu's journey to Olympic success has not been without controversy. Born and raised in San Francisco, she represented Team USA until the age of 15 before switching allegiance to China, her mother's country of birth. This decision sparked fierce criticism, with some fans alleging that lucrative Chinese sponsorship deals motivated the move.
Gu has firmly denied these claims, telling TIME Magazine, "I'm glad that there's enough money in the sport now for people to think that's a consideration." Her focus remains on her athletic achievements and personal values, rather than external speculation.
In her press conference, Gu concluded by apologizing for her lateness and reiterating the emotional weight of the moment. "It actually goes back to that promise that I made my grandma and so I'm really happy that I was able to uphold that and hopefully do her proud but it's also a really difficult time for me now so I really apologise for being late but that's what was going on," she said.
The Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, running from February 6 to 22, 2026, provided the backdrop for this poignant chapter in Gu's career, blending triumph with profound personal loss.
