Eileen Gu embraces pressure as she prepares for Milano-Cortina 2026, viewing her second Olympics with fresh perspective.
Two-time Olympic champion Eileen Gu is taking a refreshingly grounded approach as she prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. The freestyle skiing star, who captured global attention with her dual gold medal performance at Beijing 2022, revealed her mindset shift in a recent Olympic podcast appearance.
"Pressure is just energy," Gu stated, demonstrating the mental framework that has helped define her career. Rather than viewing external expectations as a burden, the American-born athlete who competed for China continues to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth.
Fresh Perspective for Second Olympics
Despite her previous Olympic success, Gu approaches Milano-Cortina 2026 with what she describes as a "novice mentality." This psychological reset appears deliberate, allowing her to compete without the weight of defending her previous achievements.
"Every Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Gu explained. "Yes, I've been to the Olympics before, but it's my first second Olympics. I come into it very much with a novice-like mentality. There's no chip on my shoulder, there's no burden, there's nothing to defend."
Looking Beyond Defending Champion Status
Gu's comments reveal a strategic mental approach that distances herself from the "defending gold medalist" label. Instead of feeling pressured to repeat her Beijing performance, she positions herself as simply another competitor ready to give her best effort.
"I'm here to compete just like everyone else and do my very best, and we'll see what happens," she noted, emphasizing process over results. This mindset could prove crucial as she faces renewed international attention and expectations heading into the Italian Alps.
The freestyle skiing competitions at Milano-Cortina 2026 will take place across multiple venues, with Gu likely competing in events such as halfpipe and slopestyle where she previously excelled.
