{"id":1163420,"date":"2026-02-22T21:35:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T02:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/?p=1163420"},"modified":"2026-02-22T21:35:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T02:35:38","slug":"eileen-gu-shares-heartbreaking-personal-news-after-olympic-gold-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/eileen-gu-shares-heartbreaking-personal-news-after-olympic-gold-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Eileen Gu shares heartbreaking personal news after Olympic gold defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

Elieen Gu likely experienced every possible emotion during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano-Cortina. The American-born skier, who represents China internationally, will leave the village with two silver medals and a gold medal. She earned the most coveted medal on Sunday at the halfpipe.<\/p>\n

MORE: Eileen Gu reshapes Olympic history with definitive performance at 2026 Milan-Cortina<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

After such a terrific performance as the only skier to enter the halfpipe, slopestyle and big air, Gu received terrible news. She explained to reporters that she learned about her grandma\u2019s passing after securing the gold medal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason I was late is that I just found out that my grandma passed away,\u201d an emotional Gu said. \u201cShe was a really big part of my life growing up and someone I looked up to immensely. She was a fighter and I think that a lot of people just cruise through life, but I think she was a steamship. This woman commanded life, and she grabbed it by the reins, and she made it into what she wanted it to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe inspired me so much,\u201d Gu added. \u201cThe last time I saw her before I came to the Olympics, she was very sick, so I knew that this was a possibility. I didn\u2019t probably say that I was going to win, but I did promise her that I was going to be brave. She\u2019s been brave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

“The reason I was late is that I just found out that my grandma passed away. She was a really big part of my life growing up and someone I looked up to immensely.”<\/p>\n

-China’s Gu Ailing after clinching her 2nd straight freeski halfpipe goldat the #Olympics<\/a>#MilanoCortina2026<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/6iK0MMT5tK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CGTN Sports Scene (@CGTNSportsScene) February 22, 2026<\/a><\/div>\n

Gu was under heavy scrutiny during the games after she opted to represent China. She responded to multiple questions about her selection, geopolitics and more.<\/p>\n

MORE: Former NBA star bashes 2026 Winter Olympics \u2018traitor\u2019 Eileen Gu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Eileen Gu responded to JD Vance\u2019s criticism<\/h2>\n

U.S. Vice President JD Vance sent a clear message to Eileen Gu and other athletes born in America who don\u2019t represent the country internationally. He questioned people for using the privileges the country offers and then offering their talents to a different nation.<\/p>\n

Gu had a short but strong response<\/a> to the politician.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m flattered. Thanks, JD! That\u2019s sweet,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Gu will leave Italy with a stronger legacy. She is only 22 and has a bright future ahead. Time will tell if she will change her mind about representing China at some point.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\u2014 <\/em><\/strong>Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u2014<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

OLYMPICS: <\/strong>Team USA flag bearers revealed for 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

NFL: <\/strong>Predicting the 2026 NFL free agent signings<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

MLB: <\/strong>Detroit Tigers drop unreal alternate jerseys for 2026 MLB season<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

NBA: <\/strong>Charlotte Hornets share update after LaMelo Ball\u2019s car crash<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

NHL: <\/strong>2026 Winter Olympics men\u2019s hockey, NHL payrolls for final four teams<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

SPORTS MEDIA: <\/strong>Olympics reporter apologizes for drinking, slurring words during live segment<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The post Eileen Gu shares heartbreaking personal news after Olympic gold defense<\/a> appeared first on The Big Lead<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u200bhttps:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/eileen-gu-shares-heartbreaking-personal-213538922.html<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Elieen Gu likely experienced every possible emotion during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano-Cortina. The American-born skier, who represents China internationally, will leave the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1163421,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1163420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1163420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1163420"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1163420\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1163421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1163420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1163420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1163420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}