Eileen Gu Disappointed by Lack of Support for Busy Olympic Schedule
Eileen Gu, a prominent figure in the Winter Olympics, recently expressed her disappointment regarding the lack of support from Games organizers. Specifically, she feels that the schedule fails to provide her with the necessary training time for her halfpipe event, which is crucial for her performance.
Eileen Gu’s Olympic Journey
Gu secured her spot in the big air final, which is set to take place on Monday. The timing of this event coincides with the initial halfpipe training sessions scheduled for the following week. Gu, who previously won a silver medal in slopestyle, is competing in all three freestyle skiing disciplines: slopestyle, big air, and halfpipe.
Challenges with Scheduling
- Gu is the only freestyle skier, alongside Henry Sildaru of Finland, participating in all three events.
- FIS, the International Ski Federation responsible for scheduling, denied her request for equity in training time.
- Gu proposed alternatives, such as joining snowboarders during their halfpipe practice, but these were also turned down.
The 22-year-old athlete highlighted the inequity in her situation, stating, “I think the Olympics should epitomize aspiration, and being able to do something that’s beyond the ordinary should be celebrated.”
Past Performances and Future Aspirations
Gu, who represents China but was born in the United States, has not skied on a halfpipe since a World Cup event in December. She has a strong history in the sport, with 15 of her 20 World Cup victories achieved in halfpipe. Despite a lengthy break from this particular event, she is determined to compete effectively.
The Impact of Scheduling Conflicts
The overlap of the big air final and halfpipe training highlights the challenges Gu faces. After Monday’s big air event, she transitions directly into halfpipe qualifiers on Thursday, concluding with the final on Saturday.
- Big Air Final: Monday
- Halfpipe Qualifiers: Thursday
- Halfpipe Final: Saturday
Gu commented on her hectic schedule, stating, “I think it’s really unfair. I think it’s punishing excellence, to be completely honest with you.” Her commitment to competing in three events has resulted in significant training challenges, raising concerns about fairness in the Olympic competition.
As she prepares for her upcoming events, Gu remains focused on her performance rather than the medals. Her determination highlights the spirit of the Olympics: the pursuit of excellence against the odds.
