Eileen Gu Learns of Grandmother's Death Right After Winning Olympic Gold in 2026

Eileen Gu won her third Olympic gold medal on February 22, 2026, but learned her grandmother passed away right after her win. This is a huge personal loss for the athlete.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Eileen Gu revealed the death of her grandmother, Feng Guozhen, shortly after winning the Olympic gold medal in the women's freeski halfpipe. The news brought tears and emotional reflection from the athlete, who dedicated her performance to her late grandmother.

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Olympic Victory Amidst Personal Loss

Eileen Gu secured her third Olympic gold medal, and her sixth career Olympic medal overall, in the women's freeski halfpipe event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Minutes after her victory, Gu learned of her grandmother's passing. This personal loss occurred shortly after a record-setting run that cemented her status as the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history.

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  • Gu won gold in the women's halfpipe, adding to her medal collection.

  • This win made her the most decorated freestyle skier in history.

  • She learned of her grandmother's death immediately following her victory.

Grandmother's Influence and a Promise

Gu spoke of a promise she made to her grandmother before the Games. The athlete stated that she had promised to be brave, a quality her grandmother embodied.

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"I didn't promise her that I was going to win, but I did promise her that I was going to be brave, like she has been brave, and that's why I keep referring to this theme of betting on myself and being brave and taking risks."

Gu's grandmother, Feng Guozhen, was an inspiration, and her middle name, Feng, is in her honor. Gu had last seen her grandmother before leaving for the Games, noting that her grandmother was ill. This last visit may have been understood by Gu as a potentially final farewell.

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  • Gu promised her grandmother she would compete with bravery.

  • She described her grandmother as a fighter.

  • The middle name "Feng" is carried in her grandmother's honor.

Emotional Revelation and Public Response

At the post-event press conference, Gu became emotional, sharing the news with reporters. She apologized for any delay in her appearance, explaining the circumstances. The athlete described her grandmother's passing as a "devastating personal loss." Her tears flowed freely as she spoke of her grandmother's absence at the victory.

  • Gu was visibly emotional during her post-event press conference.

  • She shared news of her grandmother's death with the media.

  • Her tears were attributed to the bravery on the mountain and the personal loss.

Context of Representation and Family Ties

Eileen Gu, born and raised in California, chose to represent China, her mother's and grandmother's homeland, at the Olympics. Her family's influence and heritage are clearly significant to her. The athlete's ability to perform at such a high level amidst personal grief highlights her commitment and the deep bond she shared with her grandmother.

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  • Gu was born in the United States but competes for China.

  • Her grandmother was from China.

  • Gu attends Stanford University.

Analysis of Evidence

The reporting consistently details Eileen Gu's announcement of her grandmother's death following her gold medal win. Multiple sources confirm the timing of the announcement, the emotional state of the athlete, and the inspiration her grandmother provided. The shared promise of bravery is a recurring theme across the reports.

  • Event: Eileen Gu wins Olympic gold in freeski halfpipe.

  • Timing of News: News of grandmother's death was learned immediately after the win.

  • Athlete's Reaction: Tears, emotional reflection, and a promise of bravery.

  • Grandmother's Name: Feng Guozhen.

Conclusion and Implications

Eileen Gu's Olympic victory is underscored by a profound personal tragedy. The athlete's ability to compete and achieve a historic win while processing the loss of her grandmother is a testament to her resilience. The news has added a layer of poignancy to her athletic achievement, drawing attention to the personal sacrifices and emotional fortitude required at the highest levels of sport.

  • The public now knows of Gu's grandmother's death following her Olympic win.

  • Gu's promise of bravery to her grandmother has been fulfilled.

  • The event highlights the personal challenges faced by athletes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When did Eileen Gu win her Olympic gold medal and learn about her grandmother?
Eileen Gu won her Olympic gold medal in the women's freeski halfpipe on February 22, 2026. She learned about her grandmother's death just minutes after her victory.
Q: Who was Eileen Gu's grandmother and why was she important?
Eileen Gu's grandmother was Feng Guozhen. Gu described her as brave and a fighter, and promised her she would compete with bravery. Her middle name, Feng, is in her honor.
Q: How did Eileen Gu react to the news of her grandmother's death?
Gu became very emotional at the post-event press conference, crying as she spoke about the devastating personal loss. She apologized for any delay in her appearance due to the news.
Q: What did Eileen Gu promise her grandmother before the Olympics?
Before the Games, Gu promised her grandmother that she would be brave and take risks, just like her grandmother always was. She did not promise a win, but a brave performance.
Q: Why does Eileen Gu compete for China?
Eileen Gu was born and raised in California but chose to represent China, her mother's and grandmother's home country, at the Olympics. Her family heritage is very important to her.