Eileen Gu Suffers Heartbreaking Loss Shortly After Olympic Gold

China’s Eileen Gu celebrated a triumphant moment at the 2026 Winter Olympics by winning gold in the women’s freeski halfpipe event, only to receive devastating personal news soon after her victory.

Gu, 22, clinched the title at Livigno Snow Park, posting a best score of 94.75 in her final run to take the top spot ahead of teammate Li Fanghui and Britain’s Zoe Atkin. The result solidified her status as the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history, with six medals across two Games.

Just moments after her record‑setting performance, Gu learned that her maternal grandmother, Feng Guozhen, had passed away. At a press conference following the event, she spoke emotionally about the loss and how her grandmother had inspired her throughout her career.

Emotional Tribute to Her Grandmother

Gu described her grandmother, who helped raise her in San Francisco alongside her mother, as a formidable figure who shaped her approach to both life and competition. She recounted the promise she made to be brave — not to guarantee victory, but to embody the courage her grandmother showed.

“The reason I was late [to the press conference] is that I just found out that my grandma passed away,” Gu said, noting that her grandmother had been very ill before the Games. She spoke of her grandmother as a “fighter” who taught her resilience and tenacity, traits she leaned on throughout her Olympic campaign.

Despite the personal loss, Gu said she felt she had honoured her grandmother’s influence by competing with fearlessness and determination.

A Challenging Week

Earlier in the week, the halfpipe final had been postponed due to heavy snowfall at Livigno, forcing Gu and her competitors to wait for better conditions before contesting their last chance at a title.

While Gu’s Olympic journey this year has mixed triumph with deep personal sorrow, her legacy in the sport is undeniable. Few athletes at 22 have garnered as many Olympic medals or commanded as much global attention in freestyle skiing.