EILEEN Gu suffered heartbreaking news just moments after winning Olympic gold.

The freestyle skiing superstar successfully defended her halfpipe title at Milano-Cortina 2026 – only to learn her beloved grandmother had passed away.
NINTCHDBPICT001061288464China’s Eileen Gu teared up moments after winning gold to commemorate her grandmotherCredit: IOC
 
Freestyle Skiing - Women's Freeski Halfpipe FinalGu won gold in the halfpipe on Sunday morning in ItalyCredit: Reuters
Gu, 22, delivered a stunning final run at Livigno Snow Park, scoring 94.75 to clinch gold and cement her status as the most decorated freeskier in Olympic history.

But speaking shortly after her triumph, she fought back tears as she revealed why she had arrived late to her press conference.

Gu said, “The reason I was late is that I just found out that my grandma passed away.

“She was a really big part of my life growing up, and someone I looked up to immensely.

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“She was a fighter… a steamship. This woman commanded life. She grabbed it by the reins and made it into what she wanted it to be. She inspired me so much.”

Gu explained that her grandmother, Feng Guozhen, had been seriously ill before the Winter Olympics.

She said, “The last time I saw her before I came to the Olympics, she was very sick, so I knew 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.

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“That’s why I keep referring to this theme of betting on myself and taking risks. It goes back to that promise that I made my grandma.

“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.”

Gu’s middle name, Feng, is a tribute to her grandmother, who helped raise her in San Francisco alongside her mother.

Born in the United States, Gu has represented China since 2019 and competes in halfpipe, slopestyle and big air.

Her latest gold adds to silver medals already won in slopestyle and big air at these Games.

The victory brings her total Olympic medal haul to six across two Winter Games.

That milestone officially makes her the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history.