Eileen Gu Calls Reporter's Question About 'Lost Golds' Ridiculous After Olympic Silvers

Freestyle skier Eileen Gu won two silver medals but laughed off a reporter's question asking if they felt like 'two golds lost.' This is a change from typical medal reactions.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Olympic Athlete Eileen Gu Addresses "Lost Golds" Inquiry

Eileen Gu, the American-born freestyle skier competing for China, has responded to a reporter's question about whether her two recent silver medal wins felt like "two golds lost." Gu, who has already secured multiple Olympic medals, laughed off the question, calling the perspective "ridiculous." This interaction has gained attention online, with some praising her confidence.

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Background: Gu's Olympic Performance and Media Attention

Eileen Gu has been a prominent figure at the Winter Olympics, a fact underscored by her extensive media coverage. She has earned medals in various freestyle skiing events. The current discussion centers on her performance in the slopestyle and big air events, where she won silver.

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  • Event Context: The reporter's question came during a press conference following Gu's silver medal wins.

  • Accolades: Gu is noted for her career achievements, being called the "most decorated female freeskier in history" with five Olympic medals.

  • Nationality Debate: Her decision to compete for China, despite being born and raised in San Francisco, has been a recurring topic.

The Reporter's Question and Gu's Reaction

A reporter posed a question that framed Gu's silver medal finishes as a potential disappointment, asking if she viewed them as "two silvers gained or two golds lost."

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  • Gu's Immediate Response: Gu reportedly began laughing immediately after the question was asked.

  • Verbal Reply: She characterized the reporter's perspective as "ridiculous."

  • Self-Assessment: Gu stated, "I'm the most decorated female freeskier in history, I think that’s an answer in and of itself," highlighting her overall career success.

Online Reception and Athlete Narratives

Gu's response has circulated widely on social media platforms, eliciting varied reactions.

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  • Supportive Views: Some observers have praised Gu for her poise and confidence, with posts supporting her perspective gaining significant traction online.

  • Gen Z Trends: Her candid reaction has been aligned with what some describe as a more direct communication style emerging from Generation Z athletes at these Olympics.

  • Broader Olympic Commentary: This incident is noted alongside other candid interviews from athletes at the games, such as a Norwegian biathlete's confession and an American figure skater's comments on discrimination.

Analyzing the Framing of Success

The exchange highlights differing ways of interpreting athletic achievement, particularly concerning silver medals.

The "Lost Gold" Perspective

This viewpoint suggests that for an athlete of Gu's caliber, a silver medal might be perceived as falling short of an expected gold.

  • Implication: It implies a focus on the absolute highest achievement, potentially overlooking the difficulty and competitiveness of securing any Olympic medal.

  • Reporter's Intent: Was the question intended to probe for a specific narrative of disappointment, or was it a genuine inquiry into an athlete's personal evaluation of their performance?

Gu's Counter-Narrative of Achievement

Gu's reaction emphasizes her cumulative success and overall career standing.

  • Emphasis on History: By referencing her status as the "most decorated female freeskier in history," Gu reframes the narrative around a broader, long-term achievement rather than a single event's outcome.

  • Validation of Silver: Her response implicitly validates silver medals as significant accomplishments, especially within the context of Olympic competition.

Conclusion: A Divergence in Perspective

The interaction between the reporter and Eileen Gu reveals a clash in how success is framed. While the reporter's question framed the silver medals as potentially representing "lost golds," Gu firmly rejected this framing. She asserted her historical achievements as a broader measure of her success, characterizing the "lost golds" perspective as "ridiculous." This exchange underscores the subjective nature of interpreting athletic performance and the narratives that surround it. Gu is scheduled to compete in the women's freeski halfpipe, with qualifying runs on Thursday and finals on Saturday.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Eileen Gu say when asked if her silver medals felt like 'two golds lost'?
Eileen Gu laughed and said the question was 'ridiculous.' She pointed out her overall career success as the most decorated female freeskier in history.
Q: Why did a reporter ask Eileen Gu about 'lost golds'?
The reporter asked this question after Gu won silver medals in the slopestyle and big air events, framing her silver wins as potentially not reaching the top gold medal standard.
Q: How did Eileen Gu feel about winning two silver medals at the Olympics?
Gu did not see her silver medals as a failure or 'lost golds.' She views them as part of her overall significant career achievements in freestyle skiing.
Q: What is Eileen Gu's overall Olympic achievement?
Eileen Gu is the most decorated female freeskier in history, having won multiple Olympic medals across different events.
Q: What is next for Eileen Gu?
Eileen Gu is scheduled to compete in the women's freeski halfpipe event, with qualifying runs on Thursday and finals on Saturday.