Eileen Gu Frustrated by Lack of Support Amid Busy Olympic Schedule
Eileen Gu, a prominent name at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, expressed her frustration regarding the lack of support from organizers amid a packed competition schedule. Gu, who has qualified for the big air final, is disappointed that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has not provided adequate training opportunities for her upcoming halfpipe event.
Eileen Gu’s Olympic Journey
Competing for China, Gu is the only female freeskier scheduled to participate in all three events: slopestyle, big air, and halfpipe. Earlier in the week, she secured a silver medal in slopestyle, demonstrating her prowess in freestyle skiing.
Concerns About Training Schedule
The scheduling conflict between the big air final and halfpipe training sessions has raised concerns for Gu. The big air final is set for Monday, coinciding with the first of three critical halfpipe training sessions next week. Gu reached out to FIS, hoping for equal practice time, but was informed that any adjustments for one athlete would not be fair to others.
- Date of Big Air Final: Monday
- Halfpipe Training Sessions: Three sessions scheduled before qualifying
- Previous Competition: Silver medal in slopestyle
Voicing Disappointment with FIS
Gu stated, “I’m disappointed in FIS. I think the Olympics should epitomize aspiration. Being able to do something extraordinary should be celebrated, not punished.” Despite FIS’s claims of facilitating the best possible training conditions, Gu feels that athletes competing in multiple events are unfairly disadvantaged.
Comparison of Events
While big air and slopestyle events share similarities, halfpipe skiing presents unique challenges. Gu has not competed in halfpipe since December, making this training clash even more significant. Out of her 20 World Cup victories, 15 have come from halfpipe events, underscoring her expertise.
| Event | Medals | Training Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Big Air | Secured Final | Conflicts with Halfpipe Training |
| Slopestyle | Silver Medal | Prior Event Scheduling |
| Halfpipe | N/A | Last Training Session Scheduled |
Looking Forward to Competitions
Despite the challenges, Gu remains focused on her performance. “I still know how to ski and can still do flips,” she said. With the halfpipe qualifiers on Thursday and the final on Saturday, Gu’s schedule remains intense, culminating as she aims to add to her medal count.
As the competition progresses, Gu’s determination and talent position her as a key athlete to watch. The upcoming events will test not only her skills but also the system that governs such a prestigious event. Gu’s experience raises important questions about how support structures can better accommodate athletes facing similar scheduling dilemmas.
