Eileen Gu cried Sunday after winning gold in the freeski halfpipe in her second straight Winter Olympics — but they weren’t tears of joy.
The US-born star, who once again competed for China, tearfully told the press that she had just learned that her grandmother, Guozhen Feng, had died.
“She was a huge part of my childhood and someone I really looked up to,” she said a fragment of the interview. “This woman controlled life, and she grabbed it by the reins, and she made it what she wanted it to be.”
“She inspired me so much,” Gu added. “The last time I saw her before I came to the Olympics, she was very sick, so I knew this was a possibility. I didn’t promise her I would win, but I did promise her I would be brave, just like she has been brave.”
“It is also a very difficult time for me now.”
Gu, 22, posted a photo gallery of her grandmother on Instagram and wrote, “Because I promised her that I would be brave like her.”
Regardless – gold and two silvers in Italy and two golds and silver in Beijing 2022 – Gu’s Games have been a success. She excelled again when she was attacked for competing under the flag of her mother’s native country.
Gu is one of many American athletes who have chosen another country to compete for, but some are suggesting her origins created more hate.
Sunday is the most decorated freestyle skier reiterated its intention to broaden the sport’s appeal and inspire China’s youth.
“There are girls in China whose lives will be touched by the beautiful and wonderful power of sports.” Gu said. “That in itself is an absolutely measured impact that I think I always wanted.”
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