LIVIGNO, Italy – What should have been purely a moment of triumph turned bittersweet for Olympic champion Eileen Gu on Sunday. The 22-year-old freestyle skier made history by becoming the most successful Olympic athlete in her sport, only to receive devastating news moments later about her grandmother’s passing.
During a press conference following her victory in Livigno, Gu became emotional while speaking about her grandmother, Feng Guozhen, who had been a major source of inspiration throughout her career.
“A lot of people just cruise through life, but she was a steamship,” Gu shared through tears. “This woman commanded life and she grabbed it by the reins and she made it into what she wanted it to be.”
Gu, who was born in America but chose to compete for China in honor of her mother’s and grandmother’s heritage, secured her sixth Olympic medal with Sunday’s women’s halfpipe victory.
The champion reflected on conversations with her grandmother about pursuing professional skiing, including discussions about competing in the Milano Cortina Games.
“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,” Gu explained.
“And that’s why I keep referring to this theme of betting on myself and being brave and taking risks. It actually goes back to that promise I made my grandma.”
“I’m really happy that I was able to uphold that and hopefully do her proud,” she continued, “but it’s also a really difficult time for me now.”
