Eileen Gu revealed she learned of her grandmother's death shortly after winning Olympic gold in freestyle skiing, dedicating her performance to a promise she made.
The Chinese-American freeskier delivered an emotional tribute to her late grandmother following her gold medal victory at the Winter Olympics. In a tearful interview, Gu disclosed that she had just received the devastating news of her grandmother's passing, moments after securing the top spot on the podium.
The 2022 Beijing Olympics gold medallist explained that her grandmother had been seriously ill before she departed for the Games. "The last time I saw her before I came to the Olympics she was very sick so I knew that this was a possibility," Gu said through tears.
A Promise of Bravery
Rather than promising a gold medal, Gu made a different commitment to her grandmother during their final meeting. "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," the freestyle skier revealed.
This promise became the foundation of Gu's competitive mindset throughout the Olympics. The athlete explained that her frequent references to "betting on myself" and "being brave and taking risks" stemmed directly from this pledge to her grandmother.
Grandmother's Influence on Career
Gu described her grandmother as "a really big part of my life growing up and someone I looked up to immensely." The family matriarch's influence extended beyond personal support, shaping the values and approach that would carry Gu to Olympic success.
Despite the heartbreaking timing, Gu found solace in knowing she had honoured her commitment. "I'm really happy that I was able to uphold that and hopefully do her proud," she said, demonstrating the mental strength that has defined her career in freestyle skiing.
The emotional moment highlighted the personal sacrifices and challenges elite athletes face, even in their greatest triumphs. Gu's ability to compete at the highest level while processing such profound loss underscored the bravery she had promised to embody.
