Eileen Gu competed fiercely in the Olympic women’s freeski big air event but ultimately settled for silver. Megan Oldham from Canada took home the gold. Gu, born in the U.S. and now representing China, scored 90.00 on her first run, placing her third behind Austria’s Lara Wolf and Oldham.
However, her second run didn’t go as planned; she missed the grab and had a rough landing, scoring only 61.25. This put her at risk of missing the podium entirely. Each athlete has three runs, with their top two scores combined for a total. Gu needed a strong final run, and she delivered with a score of 89.00. This brought her total to 179.00, securing her second place behind Oldham’s combined score of 180.75.
Even with the pressure, Gu remained optimistic. “Winning a medal is life-changing, and doing it five times would be incredible,” she stated. “I’m proud of my performance and pushing boundaries in skiing.”
The event faced delays due to heavy snow, but Gu welcomed the wait. “I really needed those minutes,” she mentioned, reflecting on how it might have helped her focus better.
Earlier in the Olympics, Gu had also won silver in slopestyle. Balancing multiple competitions, she practiced for the halfpipe event right between her big air runs. “I try to follow the mindset of Kobe Bryant, who said great athletes have short memories,” Gu remarked. “I finish one event and immediately focus on the next.”
Gu made headlines in 2019 when she switched her sports allegiance from the U.S. to China, shortly before the 2022 Beijing Games. There, she had a remarkable performance, winning gold in both freeski big air and halfpipe, and silver in slopestyle. Her decision and talent have made her a highly paid athlete. Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that she earned $6.6 million from the Beijing sports bureau last year, alongside numerous endorsement deals.
Gu’s journey highlights not just her athletic skill but also her impact on the sport and its evolving landscape. Her story resonates deeply with fans, especially on platforms like social media, where users admire her determination and talent. In a world of ever-increasing pressure, Gu is proving that persistence and passion can lead to remarkable achievements.
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Olympics,Sports,winter olympics,Winter Olympics 2026
