LIVIGNO, Italy — Eileen Gu is making waves in the world of skiing. She’s not just racking up medals; she’s also inspiring a new generation of athletes. After winning her third Olympic gold medal in freeskiing, Gu faced a deeply personal moment: she learned her grandmother, Guozhen Feng, had passed away. Overwhelmed with emotions, she reflected, “She was a steamship. This woman commanded life.”
Gu, a 22-year-old skier competing for China, approaches everything in her life with bravery. Before coming to the Olympics, she promised her grandmother she would be brave, and she kept her word. “She inspired me so much,” she said. Even through sickness, her grandma remained a powerful influence on her life.
Bravery isn’t just about facing danger on the slopes. Gu navigates tough questions about her dual citizenship and her choice to compete for China. “If people disagree with me, I encourage them to direct it elsewhere,” she said. She’s learned to handle questions about geopolitics with poise, steering conversations back to her love for skiing and the importance of sport.
With her recent victories, Gu has become the most accomplished freeskier in Olympic history, but she is also passionate about growing the sport. After her wins in the last Olympics, a Chinese study noted that over 300 million people in China tried snow sports for the first time. “There are girls in China whose lives are going to be touched by the beautiful power of sport,” she expressed. This engagement is crucial for the future of skiing.
Looking ahead, Gu is considering her next steps. She spoke about wanting to have a “global beneficial impact” while balancing her interests in skiing and fashion. She is set to participate in a fashion show in Milan soon, showing that her talents extend far beyond the slopes.
However, she also acknowledges that her competitors are catching up. In the last Olympics, skiers seemed resigned to Gu’s dominance. Now, athletes like Britain’s Zoe Atkin have matched her skills, jumping higher in the halfpipe. Gu welcomes this challenge, saying, “If I went to a middle school and beat everybody at freestyle, it’s not exciting for anybody.”
After her latest victory, she reflected on her journey: “That promise I made my grandma encourages me to bet on myself, be brave, and take risks.” Although her grandma didn’t witness this win, Gu knows she carried her spirit with her on that halfpipe.
In a world where every jump counts, Gu continues to set the bar high, not just for herself but for everyone in the sport. Her story is not just about medals; it’s about impact, legacy, and the unwavering bond of family.
