Skier Eileen Gu Slams Criticism of Silver Medals at Olympics 2026

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Eileen Gu knows what it takes to medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.  

When a reporter questioned whether her two silver medals in women’s freeski slopestyle were a success or a disappointment, the 22-year-old athlete clarified her perspective.

Speaking at a press conference after the competition on February 16th, the Team China skier stated she’s the most decorated female freeskier ever. She explained that winning an Olympic medal is incredibly impactful for any athlete, and to win five medals is an even greater achievement.

Eileen, the youngest gold medalist in freestyle skiing at the 2022 Olympics at just 18 years old, pointed out that while every medal requires the same level of effort, the pressure to achieve continues to increase.

Honestly, I think it’s a bit silly to focus on the lost medals,” she said. “I’m skiing at my absolute best, pushing boundaries and doing things no one has ever done before. That should be enough, but I appreciate the concern.

In fact, it’s that mindset she brought with her to the Milano Cortina Games. 

In a recent interview with Vogue, published on February 18th, she said all she wants at the Olympics is to perform runs she’s happy with. She admitted she used to worry she’d reached her best at age 18, but now feels that’s no longer the case.

Now, she wants to inspire more women to grab some ski poles.

As the saying goes, ‘a rising tide lifts all boats,’ she told Reuters recently. She welcomes strong competition, saying she, like any competitor, wants to be challenged. She finds the high level of skill among her rivals motivating and makes the competition thrilling.

She joked that competition is what makes it fun, saying, “Without anyone to race against, the joy would be gone.” She praised the course and the high level of skill among the skiers, expressing how grateful she was to be competing alongside them. She also shared that she feels motivated by the challenge and hopes to inspire others, finding a sense of freedom in her own improvement.

Get ready for the 2026 Winter Olympics! Before Eileen Gu competes in women’s skiing halfpipe on February 19th, we’re taking a look at everything happening at the games.

Figure skater Amber Glenn became emotional and cried after a difficult landing on her triple loop jump during the women’s short program competition.

Tom Wilson of Canada scuffles with Pierre Crinon of France in a rare Olympic hockey fight.

Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen was overcome with emotion after making history by winning Brazil’s first-ever gold medal at the Winter Olympics, taking the top spot in the men’s giant slalom.

Stevenson Savart, Haiti’s first-ever Olympic cross-country skier, finished the men’s 10km race and received a standing ovation.

Spanish figure skater Tomas Guarino performs his short program dressed as a Minion, inspired by the movie Despicable Me.

A dog wanders onto the track during the women’s team cross country free sprint qualifiers.

Curler Marc Kennedy observed his teammate, Brad Jacobs, putting on lip balm during a men’s round robin game.

Ilia Malinin, the U.S. figure skater nicknamed “Quad God,” surprisingly fell during his performance in the men’s single free skate, which resulted in an eighth-place finish.

German bobsledder Laura Nolte prepares before a training session for the monobob, a one-person bobsleigh race for women.

After the women’s snowboard halfpipe event, Korean snowboarder Gaon Choi took a photo with American Chloe Kim and Japan’s Mitsuki Ono, captured on a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition phone.

Nika Egadze, a figure skater from Georgia, took a photo with Simone Biles, the most decorated Olympic gymnast, while at the men’s singles figure skating competition.

A cameraman captured U.S. skiers Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin embracing after completing their second runs in the women’s team combined slalom competition.

Biathlete Lou Jeanmonnot of France playfully posed with the stuffed mascots, Milo and Tina, from the Milan-Cortina Olympics. She received the plushies after winning a silver medal in the women’s 15km individual biathlon event.

After completing the super-G race, skier Dmytro Shepiuk wrote a message of support for Ukrainians on a sticky note.

Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto is surprised by her score in the women’s singles free skating team event.

Speedskater Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands cried tears of joy after discovering she’d broken the Olympic record in the women’s 1,000-meter race.

China’s Eileen Gu competes in the women’s freestyle slopestyle—which earned her a silver medal.

After his performance in the men’s singles short program, skater Maxim Naumov held a photo of his parents, who have passed away, close to his heart.

A composite image shows off the many tricks seen in the women’s freestyle slopestyle. 

Figure skater Ekaterina Kurakova of Poland celebrated her performance in the women’s singles short program with her teammates, holding up a stuffed pierogi – a popular and iconic Polish food.

No, it’s Team Austria’s ski jumper Julia Muehlbacher.

Selina Egle and Lara Michaela Kipp of Austria zoom by during the luge women’s doubles.

The figure skating team who won the event took a selfie with a special Olympic Edition Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 while celebrating on the podium.

Lindsey Vonn, a U.S. skier, showed her determination while training just days after suffering an ACL tear in a crash.

Alysa Liu, representing the United States, performs a Biellmann spin during her short program in the women’s singles skating competition.

Jennifer Dodds of Team Great Britain looked very anxious while watching the mixed doubles curling match against South Korea.

Snoop Dogg,serving as an Olympics correspondent for NBC, tries his hand at curling at a practice.

Evan Bates and Madison Chock, both U.S. figure skaters and a couple in real life, seem perfectly in sync when they perform their rhythm dance.

Laila Edwards, the first African American woman to play hockey for the U.S. in the Olympics, competes against Sara Cajanova of the Czech Republic during their game.

During the men’s snowboard big air qualifying round, Australian snowboarder Valentino Guseli embraced Czech athlete Jakub Hrones.

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2026-02-19 17:47