Eileen Gu Triumphs at Milan 2026 Winter Olympics with Gold Medal Defense
American-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu stood proudly atop the podium at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, having successfully defended her Olympic title in the women's freestyle skiing halfpipe event. The victory marked a monumental achievement in her athletic career, solidifying her status as one of the sport's dominant figures. Her performance throughout the games was exceptional, culminating in a total of three Olympic medals from the Milan competition.
Bittersweet Victory: Personal Loss Shadows Olympic Success
Behind the champion's triumphant smile, however, lay profound personal sorrow. Shortly after completing her final Olympic event, Gu received the devastating news that her beloved grandmother, Feng Guozhen, had passed away. During her post-competition press conference, the athlete struggled to contain her emotions, fighting back tears as she spoke about the woman who had played such a pivotal role in shaping her life and character.
Within hours of this revelation, an archival video featuring Gu and her grandmother began circulating widely across social media platforms, reminding fans of the extraordinary bond they shared. The clip, originally shared by Shanghai Daily on X, suddenly carried profound new meaning in light of recent events.
The Resurfaced Video: A Testament to Their Special Relationship
In the resurfaced footage, a younger Eileen Gu appears wearing a distinctive red fuzzy hat, smiling shyly as her grandmother offers heartfelt praise. "I think my granddaughter is excellent; she is excellent in all aspects," Feng Guozhen declares proudly in the video. Gu responds with modest laughter, questioning, "Really? I've been praised like this..."
The skier then recounts a memorable story from her seventh-grade years in the United States. During a three-kilometer cross-country race where she was running in second position, Gu heard enthusiastic cheers of "Eileen number one! Eileen number one!" Puzzled by the encouragement despite not leading the race, she turned to discover her grandmother rallying American parents to support her.
"Because I want you to sprint and cheer you on," Feng Guozhen later explained to her granddaughter. Gu admitted she never fully understood how her Mandarin-speaking grandmother managed to mobilize other parents that day, but reflected that "this may be the source of my greatest confidence."
Olympic Press Conference: A Heartfelt Tribute
At her Milan Olympics press conference, Eileen Gu spoke emotionally about her grandmother's enduring influence. "She inspired me so much," the athlete revealed. "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. She has been brave."
Family Foundation: The Women Who Shaped a Champion
Eileen Gu was raised primarily in San Francisco by her mother, Yan Gu, and her grandmother. Feng Guozhen, a former senior engineer from China, relocated to the United States specifically to assist in raising her granddaughter. She played a crucial role in teaching Gu Mandarin and maintaining her connection to Chinese cultural roots during extended summer visits to Beijing.
Beyond language and cultural education, Feng Guozhen fundamentally built her granddaughter's confidence. Gu has previously described her grandmother as "fiercely confident" and someone who never "cruised through life." That inherited strength sustained the athlete throughout the Milan Olympics, providing resilience even during what became the most challenging moment of her professional career.
The story of Eileen Gu's Olympic triumph is now forever intertwined with the legacy of her grandmother, creating a narrative of athletic excellence tempered by personal loss that will resonate far beyond the ski slopes of Milan.
