Eileen Gu, the 22-year-old freestyle skiing sensation, has once again etched her name in Olympic history, clinching gold in the women’s halfpipe at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. With this victory, Gu not only dazzled fans and critics alike but also became the most decorated freestyle skier—male or female—in Olympic history, amassing a staggering six medals across two Olympic Games.
Gu’s journey to the top of the podium was anything but straightforward. After a shaky start in the halfpipe final, where she bailed out on her first run, she stormed back with a near-flawless performance, scoring 94.00 on her second run. Not one to settle, Gu elevated her score to an impressive 94.75 on her final attempt, sealing her lead over China’s Li Fanghui, who took silver with 93.00, and Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin, who earned bronze with 92.50. The event, originally scheduled for Saturday, was pushed to the final day of the Games due to a heavy snowstorm—a twist that only added to the anticipation and drama surrounding the competition.
“She is unreal. It’s pretty crazy how good she is,” said New Zealand’s Mischa Thomas, who finished eighth in the event. “She is ‘Wonder Woman.’” That sentiment echoed throughout the stands and across social media, as fans marveled at Gu’s ability to shine under pressure on the sport’s biggest stage.
Gu’s golden run in Milan Cortina caps off another extraordinary Olympics for the San Francisco-born athlete, who represents China. She competed in all three freestyle skiing disciplines—halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air—medaling in each. After capturing silver in both slopestyle and big air, Gu’s final flourish in the halfpipe cemented her status as a global sports icon and a trailblazer in her discipline.
Her Olympic dominance began at just 18 years old during the 2022 Beijing Games, where she burst onto the scene with two golds and a silver. Four years later, her legacy has only grown, as she continues to break barriers and inspire a new generation of athletes worldwide.
Gu’s story is as compelling off the slopes as it is on them. Born in San Francisco to an American father and a Chinese mother, she was raised primarily by her mother and maternal grandmother. While her father’s identity remains largely private—he is American and reportedly attended Harvard—Gu’s multicultural background has fueled both admiration and controversy. She was eligible to represent the United States, having been a member of the U.S. national Ski & Snowboard team until the 2018-2019 season. However, she made the pivotal decision to compete for China, a move she has explained as a desire to inspire young Chinese girls in a sport where representation was lacking.
“The U.S. already has the representation. I like building my own pond,” Gu told Time in a widely cited interview. Her words reflect a nuanced understanding of identity and the power of sports as a vehicle for cultural connection. Gu has often described herself as "American when I’m in the US and Chinese when I’m in China," deftly navigating the complexities of dual heritage and international competition.
Her choice, however, has not been without its critics. The issue of dual citizenship has sparked heated debate, as China does not officially recognize dual nationality, and there is no public record of Gu ever renouncing her American citizenship. Despite the controversy, Gu remains steadfast in her commitment to both her countries, continuing to study at Stanford University in California—though she took the 2025-2026 academic year off to train for the Olympics—and maintaining fluency in both English and Mandarin.
Financially, Gu’s star power is undeniable. According to Forbes, she earned $23.1 million in 2025, ranking her as the fourth-highest paid female athlete in the world. Reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate that she and fellow figure skater Zhu Yi, who also represents China despite being born in America, received a combined $14 million over three years from the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau. These figures do not even account for the lucrative endorsements and sponsorships that have come her way since becoming a household name in China and beyond. With an estimated net worth of $50 million, Gu is already tied for the fifth-highest among Olympians in history.
Her global appeal is further amplified by her modeling career and her status as a sports icon in China, where her every move is followed by millions. Yet, despite her fame and fortune, Gu’s focus remains firmly on her sport and the impact she can have on future generations. She has openly discussed the importance of being a role model, especially for young girls in China who may not have seen themselves represented on the world stage.
The Milan Cortina halfpipe final was a microcosm of Gu’s resilience and flair. The pressure was immense, with the eyes of the world watching as she attempted to defend her title. After stumbling in her first run, Gu regrouped, displaying the poise and determination that have become her trademarks. Her second and third runs were a masterclass in technical skill and artistry, leaving her competitors—and the crowd—in awe.
China’s Li Fanghui and Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin also delivered remarkable performances, pushing Gu to her limits. Atkin, like Gu, was born and raised in the United States (Newton, Massachusetts) and currently attends Stanford University, underscoring the increasingly international nature of the sport. Team USA was represented by two skiers: California native Kate Gray, who placed 10th with a score of 66.50, and Colorado’s Svea Irving, who finished 11th after suffering a bruised hip during a fall on her first run and did not complete her second attempt.
The postponement of the final due to a snowstorm only heightened the stakes, but Gu and her fellow competitors rose to the occasion. As the curtain fell on the Milan Cortina Games, Gu stood atop the podium, gold medal in hand, her legacy secure—and her journey far from over.
With six Olympic medals, a global fanbase, and a platform that transcends sport, Eileen Gu has redefined what it means to be a champion. As she celebrated with Li Fanghui and Zoe Atkin on the podium, it was clear that her impact will be felt for years to come—not just in the record books, but in the hearts and minds of those she continues to inspire.