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 

So, when a reporter asked if her second-place finishes in the women's freeski slopestyle were "two silvers gained or two golds lost," the 22-year-old set the record straight. 

"I'm the most decorated female freeskier in history," the Team China skier responded at the Feb. 16 press conference after the competition. "I think that's an answer in and of itself. How do I say this? Winning a medal at the Olympics is a life-changing experience for every athlete. Doing it five times is exponentially harder."

Eileen—who, at age 18, became the youngest gold medalist in freestyle skiing in 2022—emphasized that despite every medal being "equally hard," expectations continue to rise.

"The two medals lost situation, to be quite frank with you, I think, is kind of a ridiculous perspective to take," she continued. "I'm showcasing my best skiing. I'm doing things that quite literally have never been done before, and so I think that is more than good enough, but thank you."

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

"For this Olympics, the only thing I can hope is to land runs that I feel proud of," she told Vogue in an interview published Feb. 18. "I worried for a while that maybe I peaked at 18. I don't feel that way anymore." 

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

"A rising tide raises all boats," she explained to Reuters earlier this month. "Any strong competitor yearns for a worthy opponent, and I think I'm no exception. The field is so strong and that's what makes it exciting for me."

Wang Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images

"If there was no one to compete against, I think the joy in competing would be robbed," she quipped. "This is a wonderful course. Everybody is skiing super strongly. I feel honored to be a part of the field and I'm being pushed and hopefully pushing other people every single day. And there's nothing more freeing than the feeling of progress."

Before Eileen returns to the slopes for the women's skiing halfpipe Feb. 19, keep reading for a closer look at what's going on at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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Heartbreak on the Ice

U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn breaks down in tears after missing her triple loop jump during the women’s short program event.

Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images

Gloves Off

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

Hu Huhu/Xinhua via Getty Images

Golden Moment

Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen is visibly emotional after winning the country's first-ever gold medal in Winter Olympic history at the men's giant slalom event.

He Canling/Xinhua via Getty Images

Across the Finish Line

As the first cross-country skier to represent to Haiti in Olympic history, Stevenson Savart collapses to thunderous applause after finishing the men's 10km race.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Bello! 

Spanish figure skater Tomas Guarino dresses up as a Minion for his Despicable Me-inspired short program.

Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP via Getty Images

Dog Day Afternoon

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

Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images

Canadian Chaps

Canadian curler Marc Kennedy watches his teammate Brad Jacobs apply lip balm during the men's round robin match.

Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Slip Up

U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin, also known as "Quad God," takes an uncharacteristic fall during the men's single free skating competition, ultimately landing him in eighth place.

Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images

Head in the Game

German bobsledder Laura Nolte gears up before training for the monobob, the single-person bobsleigh event for women.

Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Victory Selfie

Following the women’s snowboard halfpipe competition, Korean snowboarder Gaon Choi poses for picture with Team USA's Chloe Kim and Mitsuki Ono of Japan taken using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition.

Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images

From One Olympian to Another

Georgian figure skater Nika Egadze snaps a photo with Simone Biles, the most-decorated gymnast in Olympic history, during the men's singles figure skating competition.

Daniel Kopatsch/VOIGT/Getty Images

You're on Candid Camera

A cameraman films U.S. skiers Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin hugging after the second run of the women's team combined salom event.

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A Small Gift

French biathlete Lou Jeanmonnot has some fun with plushies of Milan-Cortina Olympics mascots Milo and Tina, which she received as part of winning the silver medal in the women's biathlon 15km individual event.

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Thinking of Home

Skier Dmytro Shepiuk uses a sticky note to send love to his fellow Ukranians after finishing the men's super-G event.

WANG Zhao/AFP via Getty Images

Scream and Shout

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

JASPER JACOBS/BELGA MAG/Belga/AFP via Getty Images

All the Emotions

Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam wipes tears from her eyes after learning she set an Olympic record in the women’s 1,000-meter race.

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Big Air

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

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

With Him Always

U.S. skater Maxim Naumov holds a photo of his late parents close after competing in the men's single skating short program.

Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Twists and Turns

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

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Pierogi Power

Polish figure skater Ekaterina Kurakova holds up a plushie of a pierogi—widely considered to be Poland's national food—as she celebrates with her teammates during the women's single skating short program.

Tom Weller/Getty Images

It's a Bird, It's a Plane

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

Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images

Double Trouble

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

Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Say Cheese!

The winners of the figure skating team event snap a selfie with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition while on the podium.

Daniel Kopatsch/VOIGT/GettyImages

Never Give Up

U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn looks determined as she attends a training session days after rupturing her ACL in a crash.

Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Spin It to Win It

Alysa Liu of the United States performs the Biellmann spin during the women's single skating short program event.

Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images

So Close

Team Great Britain's Jennifer Dodds has a nail-biting reaction to the curling mixed doubles round robin match against South Korea.

Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images

Curl It Like It's Hot

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

Tim Clayton/Getty Images

In Sync

U.S. figure skaters and real-life couple Evan Bates and Madison Chock are a perfect match while performing their rhythm ice dance routine.

Federico Manoni/NurPhoto via Getty Images

On the B-rink of History

Laila Edwards, the first Black woman representing the U.S. in Olympic hockey, faces off against Czech player Sara Cajanova during the United States vs. Czech Republic game.

Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Friendship Knows No Borders

Australian snowboarder Valentino Guseli shares a hug with Team Czechia's Jakub Hrones during the men's snowboard big air qualifiers.

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