Eileen Gu's Grandmother Inspires Her Courage at 2026 Winter Olympics

Olympic skier Eileen Gu, hailed as the most decorated freeskier of all time, dedicated her recent 2026 Winter Olympics medals to her late grandmother.

During a press conference on Sunday, February 22, Gu announced her grandma's passing and later paid tribute to her on social media, fulfilling a promise to be brave like her.

Gu, aged 22, shared photos on Instagram, expressing her love for her grandmother in Chinese and recounting her emotional journey after clinching her second freeski halfpipe gold medal at the Olympics.

Remembering Her Grandma

Gu revealed that she learned of her grandma's death right after winning the gold medal and described her as a significant influence in her life, highlighting her grandmother's resilience and inspiration.

Despite the emotional moment, Gu emphasized her commitment to being brave, reflecting on her promise to her late grandma and expressing gratitude for the support she received.

Choosing to Represent China

While Gu was born and raised in San Francisco, California, she opted to compete for China, her mother's home country, which drew criticism from United States Vice President J.D. Vance.

Responding to Vance's remarks, Gu expressed gratitude and addressed feeling targeted by a specific political perspective, affirming her decision to represent China at the Winter Olympics.