Eileen Gu added another glittering chapter to her legendary career on Sunday, clinching gold in the women’s halfpipe final at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. The victory at Livigno Snow Park marked her sixth Olympic medal, reinforcing her status as the most decorated winter athlete in history.
Born in the United States and competing for China, Gu once again delivered on the sport’s biggest stage, defending her Olympic halfpipe gold with absolute composure. But what should have been an unfiltered celebration quickly turned into an emotional crossroads.
Massive heartbreak after Olympic triumph
Shortly after securing gold, Gu learned of the passing of her grandmother — a devastating blow that cast a shadow over her historic achievement.
Speaking in a press conference following the final, an emotional Eileen Gu reflected on the profound influence her grandmother had on her life.
"She was a really big part of my life growing up, and someone I looked up to immensely. She was a fighter. And I think what's so interesting is that a lot of people just cruise through life, but she was a steamship," Gu said. "This woman commanded life, and she grabbed it by the reins, and she made it into what she wanted it to be. And she inspired me so much."
Her grandmother, Feng — a name Gu carries as her own middle name — had been seriously ill. The freestyle star revealed she had mentally prepared for the possibility but hoped for more time.
"The last time I saw her before I came to the Olympics, she was very sick, so I knew that this was a possibility. 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, and that's why I keep referring to this theme of betting on myself and being brave and taking risks." She said
It actually goes back to that promise that I made my grandma," Eileen Gu added. "And so I'm really happy that I was able to uphold that and hopefully do her proud, but it's also a really difficult time for me now."
Despite the personal loss, Gu’s performance underscored her resilience. Winning six medals across six Olympic events, she has defined a generation of freestyle skiing.