Winter Olympics sensation Eileen Gu has launched a strong criticism against event organisers after they refused to grant her the same practice time as other athletes for her third and final event, the halfpipe. The scheduling conflict arose because Gu also qualified for the big air final, which coincides with the first of three scheduled halfpipe training sessions.
Triple Discipline Challenge
The 22-year-old freeskier stands as the only female competitor signed up for all three disciplines: slopestyle, halfpipe, and big air. Having already secured a silver medal in slopestyle, Gu now faces the challenge of competing in Monday's big air final while simultaneously preparing for the halfpipe competition.
Controversial Background
Gu, who has attracted some controversy for choosing to represent China despite growing up in California, revealed she reached out to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) for assistance with the scheduling conflict but received no help. The FIS sets the Olympic competition schedule.
Spirit of the Games Questioned
In an emotional Instagram post, Gu expressed her disappointment with the organisers' decision. "The Olympics is the stage upon which miracles materialize and the impossible ceases to be so right before our very eyes," she wrote. "It inspires both athletes and sports lovers to dream big and break limits."
Gu continued with her criticism: "This decision is disappointing to me because it seems to contradict the spirit of the games. Daring to be the only woman to compete in three events should not be penalized - making finals in one event should not disadvantage me in another."
Future Implications
The Olympic champion raised concerns about the message this sends to future athletes. "What kind of message does this send to future athletes who love skiing for its essence and want to compete in every event?" Gu questioned. "This was a totally avoidable issue and I am saddened by the hardline stance FIS has chosen to take."
Not Seeking Special Treatment
Speaking to reporters on Saturday after qualifying for the big air final, Gu insisted she was not requesting special privileges. "I'm not seeking special treatment," she clarified. "I just want to be able to get the same amount of practice in as my competitors."
Gu emphasized the distinct nature of the different disciplines: "Halfpipe is an entirely different event. It's like sprinting and a marathon. They're both running but they're completely different sports."
Historical Context
Gu hasn't competed in big air since winning the gold medal in the discipline four years ago in Beijing. That victory was part of her remarkable three-medal haul in China, an achievement she remains on track to potentially repeat in Italy despite her current frustrations with the practice schedule.
Organiser Response
The FIS scheduled three training sessions before halfpipe qualifying, compared to the typical two sessions for a World Cup event. FIS spokesman Bruno Sassi told Associated Press that "every effort has been made to facilitate the best possible training" for all athletes.
Previous Scheduling Conflicts
This isn't the first scheduling conflict to emerge at the current Winter Olympics. Earlier in the games, Ester Ledecka faced a difficult choice between defending her snowboard title and competing in her favorite skiing event, the downhill, located approximately five hours away in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Ledecka ultimately chose snowboarding, where she finished fifth, and instead participated in the super-G skiing event, where she crashed and did not finish. This precedent highlights the ongoing challenges athletes face when competing in multiple disciplines at major international competitions.
Despite the practice time dispute, Gu continues her bid for another three-medal performance at the Winter Games in Italy, demonstrating remarkable resilience as she navigates the complex demands of competing in multiple high-stakes events simultaneously.
