Eileen Gu

Eileen Feng Gu, also known as Gu Ailing, is a trailblazing freestyle skier whose remarkable achievements have captivated the world. Born in the United States, Gu’s journey to greatness began when she started competing for China in halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air events in 2019.

At just 18 years old, Gu made history at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where she etched her name in the annals of freestyle skiing. Her stunning performance saw her clinch gold medals in big air and halfpipe, along with a silver in slopestyle, making her the youngest Olympic champion in freestyle skiing. Notably, she became the first freestyle skier to secure three medals at a single Winter Olympics.

Gu’s accomplishments transcend mere sporting success. She made history as the first naturalized Chinese freeskier and the first American of Chinese descent to claim gold at a Winter Olympics event, achieving this milestone on February 7, 2022. Following in the footsteps of Han Xiaopeng, she became the second Chinese freeskier to win Olympic gold and the first female Chinese freeskier to achieve this feat, joining the esteemed ranks of previous Chinese female freestyle skiing medalists.

In recognition of her impact, Time magazine named Gu one of the 100 most influential people globally in 2022, categorizing her under the ‘Pioneers’ section. Forbes also acknowledged her prowess, listing her as the third-highest-paid female athlete in 2022. Furthermore, Gu’s exceptional talent earned her the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year award in May 2023, cementing her status as a true icon in the world of freestyle skiing.