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Eileen Gu becomes most decorated female Olympic freestyle skier
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Eileen Gu has secured her place in history as the most decorated female Olympic freestyle skier ever. The 22-year-old has already claimed two silver medals in the current Games, bringing her total Olympic medal count to five.
Athlete transcending sport
Gu's influence extends far beyond the slopes. Known as China's 'snow princess,' she first captured global attention at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, where she became freestyle skiing's youngest Olympic champion with golds in big air and halfpipe at just 18 years old. She also added a slopestyle silver, making her the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Games.
Her achievements earned her a spot on Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022. Gu's drive for excellence is evident in her own words:
"I just like being the best. I've always wanted to do that... When you get a taste of it, it's kind of addictive."
Eileen Gu, Milan-Cortina 2026
Dual heritage and global stardom
Born and raised in California to an American father and Chinese mother, Gu attended a private school in San Francisco and is currently on a sabbatical from Stanford University, where she studies international relations and previously explored quantum physics. Fluent in Mandarin, she spent summers in Beijing as a child.
In 2019, at the age of 15, Gu switched her sporting allegiance from the U.S. to China, aiming to inspire young people in Beijing ahead of the 2022 Olympics. This decision catapulted her into the global spotlight and proved financially lucrative. According to Forbes, Gu was the fourth-highest paid female athlete in 2025, with earnings of $23.1 million (£17.1 million), primarily from endorsements with brands like Red Bull, Porsche, and Tiffany & Co.
However, her decision to compete for China has not been without controversy. Critics, including former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, have accused her of ignoring China's human rights record. When asked about this by Time magazine in January, Gu responded:
"I'm not an expert on this. I haven't done the research. I don't think it's my business."
Balancing expectations and achievements
Gu's journey at the Milan-Cortina Olympics has been marked by both triumph and scrutiny. After winning silver in both slopestyle and big air, she faced questions about whether her two silvers felt like missed golds. Her response went viral:
"I'm the most decorated female freeskier in history. I think that's an answer in and of itself... Winning a medal at the Olympics is a life-changing experience for every athlete. Doing it five times is exponentially harder."
Eileen Gu, press conference
Gu also highlighted a scheduling conflict that impacted her halfpipe training, expressing disappointment that her decision to compete in three events was not accommodated. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) responded, stating that conflicts can be inevitable for athletes competing in multiple disciplines.
Preparing for the final challenge
Despite the challenges, Gu remains focused on her final event, the halfpipe, where she qualified in fifth place. She brought an unprecedented 21 pairs of skis to the Games-seven for each event-underscoring her commitment to excellence.
"My sixth Olympic final. I am proud to have a 100% success rate. It is not an easy thing to do. The Olympics brings out the best and worst in people. Being able to withstand that pressure is something I am really proud of."
Eileen Gu, speaking to BBC Sport
As Gu prepares for the halfpipe final on Saturday, her fans, clad in red and waving flags adorned with her image, continue to support her every move. With her mother, Yan-a successful venture capitalist-by her side, Gu remains a symbol of determination and grace under pressure.
