Freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu has secured a silver medal in big air for China, adding to her Olympic tally while navigating intense scrutiny regarding her decision to switch allegiance from the United States.
The 22-year-old landed the podium finish on Monday to claim the fifth major accolade of her career.
She will return to competition on Saturday in the freeski halfpipe finals as she looks to add to her medal haul.
A divided allegiance
Born in San Francisco, the multi-talented athlete was a member of the US Ski & Snowboard team until the 2018-19 season.
Her move to represent the nation of her mother’s birth has sparked fierce debate across social media platforms.
While some critics have questioned her loyalty, others view her autonomy as a triumph for modern athlete empowerment.
International regulations permit such transfers, and the practice remains common across global sport.
Team USA itself features athletes who have previously competed for nations including Canada and Ukraine.
Commercial success and cultural impact
Beyond the slopes, the Stanford University undergraduate has cultivated a lucrative portfolio of endorsements in both hemispheres.
Her dual-market appeal has generated millions in revenue, establishing her as a cultural touchstone in both Beijing and Washington.
The freestyle specialist maintains that her primary motivation was to inspire a new generation of female athletes in Asia.
She has frequently cited a desire to increase representation where it was previously lacking.
“The US already has the representation. I like building my own pond.”
Eileen Gu, speaking to Time magazine
Despite the noise surrounding her nationality, her performance on the snow remains world-class.
Hunter Hess qualifies for Olympic halfpipe final amid political row
American freeskier Hunter Hess made a pointed gesture to cameras after qualifying for the Olympic halfpipe final in response to Donald Trump labelling him a “loser”.
The 27-year-old successfully completed his run before making an “L” shape with his left hand and pointing to it with his right.
“Apparently, I’m a loser,” he said immediately afterwards.
Hess had faced threats to his family after becoming embroiled in a major political controversy at the start of the Games involving the former US President.
Using criticism as motivation
The freeskier stated he used the high-profile spat as fuel for his performance on the snow.
“I worked so hard to be here. I sacrificed my entire life to make this happen,” Hess explained.
“I’m not going to let controversy like that get in my way.”
Despite the friction, the Team USA athlete insisted he remains proud to wear the national colours.
“I love the United States of America. I cannot say that enough,” he added.
“My original statement, I felt like I said that, but apparently people didn’t take it that way.”
USA seeking elusive gold
Hess was one of four US skiers to reach the 12-man final at the Livigno Snow Park.
The squad is aiming to secure their nation’s first gold medal in nearly two weeks of skiing and snowboarding events.
However, the buildup for the team has been dominated by off-piste distractions.
The dispute began when athletes were asked about representing their country during the Trump administration’s heightened immigration enforcement.
Hess had stated he felt he represented the US “if it aligns with my moral values”.
“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.,” he noted at the time.
Trump’s social media response
Those comments drew a sharp rebuke from Mr Trump on Truth Social.
He described the skier as a “real loser” who “shouldn’t have tried out for the team”.
After retreating to Laax in Switzerland for training to escape the noise, Hess admitted the period took a toll.
“I had a week that was pretty challenging,” he confessed.
“There was a lot of noise and I’ve never been subject to that kind of criticism.”
Hess maintained he has no regrets regarding his initial comments and remains focused on the upcoming final.
Germany’s Daniela Maier has claimed the gold medal in the women’s ski cross big final to banish the memories of a contentious finish four years ago.
The German skier produced a composed run to top the podium on day 14 of the Winter Olympics.
It marks a significant turnaround for Maier following the confusion that marred her experience at the Beijing Games.
Redemption after Beijing drama
The victory comes four years after a chaotic conclusion to the final at the 2022 Games in China.
Maier had previously been involved in a protracted dispute regarding a bronze medal finish during her last Olympic campaign.
The new Olympic champion has now upgraded that status to gold with an undisputed victory in the showpiece event.
Her performance in the big final ensured there was no doubt regarding the result this time around.
Female cross-country skiers are preparing for a historic but divisive moment as they tackle the 50km distance for the first time at a Winter Olympics in Val di Fiemme this Sunday.
The gruelling classic race serves as the final cross-country event of the Milano Cortina Games.
Competitors face a demanding hilly course at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium which is expected to take over two hours to complete.
While the extension from the traditional 30km represents a milestone for equality, the physical toll on athletes at the end of a busy schedule has sparked debate.
Gruelling challenge divides opinion
The field enters the race already fatigued from five previous contests, with many facing an immediate return to the World Cup circuit.
Jonna Sundling, the team sprint gold medallist for Sweden, suggested a preference for the shorter distance.
“If I would choose I would prefer 30k, but if it’s 50k I can do 50k. In some way I would prefer 30k, like for the audience also.”
However, others in the peloton have embraced the increased strategic complexity of the longer format.
Astrid Oeyre Slind believes the distance changes the tactical landscape significantly.
“I think a 50k is a good distance. It’s quite different than a 30k. When a race is more than two hours, you have to be more aware of energy and tactical stuff and everything.”
The Norwegian contender added that the unique nature of the endurance test makes its inclusion a positive step for the sport.
A milestone for gender equality
Beyond the physical challenge, the event is viewed as a crucial victory for equal representation on the snow.
Cross-country skiing debuted for men at the inaugural Winter Games in 1924, but women did not join the programme until 1952.
Recent controversies regarding the absence of a women’s Nordic combined event have further highlighted the scrutiny on female participation gaps.
Jessie Diggins, a prominent voice in the US team, questioned why male counterparts were previously the only athletes permitted to race the iconic distance.
“When I got to the World Cup and was like, ‘Wait a minute, the men get to do 50 and the women are capped at 30. Why?’ And I didn’t understand why. Why do we not get to do these big, epic races that are pretty iconic and pretty legendary in our sport?”
Regardless of personal preference regarding the stamina required, the American skier believes the option must exist.
“Whether or not you’re an athlete who wants to race the 50k, I think you should have the opportunity to race the 50k.”
Zoe Atkin has raised hopes of a record-breaking fourth Winter Olympic gold for Great Britain by qualifying first for the women’s freestyle halfpipe final.
The 23-year-old produced a stunning first run score of 91.5 to top the standings in Livigno on Thursday.
Her dominant performance signals a major statement of intent ahead of Saturday’s medal showdown.
Defending champion Eileen Gu, meanwhile, survived a scare to progress in fifth place.
World champion form
Atkin arrived at the Games in formidable form after winning the world title in Switzerland last year.
The British skier also secured gold in the superpipe competition at last month’s X Games in Aspen, Colorado.
Success runs in the family, as her older sister Izzy claimed Britain’s first Olympic medal on skis with slopestyle bronze at Pyeongchang 2018.
Should the younger sibling secure victory, it would mark a historic fourth gold of the Games for Team GB.
Gu survives scare
While Atkin dominated, Chinese superstar Gu endured a nervous wait after crashing out of her first run.
The defending champion, who has already won two silver medals at these Games, recovered to score 86.5 on her second attempt.
Gu is the only athlete attempting to compete in all three freestyle disciplines and has been critical of the hectic schedule.
Despite a shaky moment halfway down her second run, the score was comfortably enough to avoid early elimination.
Injury concern for Sharpe
The qualifying session was marred by a significant delay following a heavy crash involving Canada’s Cassie Sharpe.
The 2018 gold medallist and 2022 runner-up required medical attention on the snow.
Sharpe was eventually carried off the course on a stretcher after a 15-minute stoppage.
Defending champion Eileen Gu faces a tense battle to reach the Olympic freeski halfpipe final after falling during her opening qualifying run.
The 22-year-old clipped the lip of the halfpipe on her third trick in Italy.
That error dislodged her left ski and sent the Chinese superstar sliding to the bottom of the course.
Gu must now deliver a clean second run to finish in the top 12 competitors and progress to Saturday’s final.
Medal history and expectations
The San Francisco-born skier has already secured two silver medals at the Milan Cortina Games.
She finished second in both the slopestyle and big air disciplines earlier in the competition.
Gu boasts a formidable Olympic record, having medalled in all five of her events across these Games and Beijing 2022.
Four years ago, she became the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Olympics, taking gold in the halfpipe and big air.
Gu defends record after ‘ridiculous’ question
Despite her continued podium success, the Stanford student has faced scrutiny regarding her failure to win gold so far in Italy.
When asked by a reporter on Monday if her recent results represented "two silvers gained or two golds lost", she dismissed the suggestion immediately.
"I’m the most decorated female freeskier in history, I think that’s an answer in and of itself," she said.
"Winning a medal at the Olympics is a life-changing experience for every athlete."
"Doing it five times is exponentially harder because every medal is equally hard for me, but everybody else’s expectations rise, right?"
The highest-paid athlete at these Games described the negative perspective on her silver medals as "ridiculous".
"I’m showcasing my best skiing, I’m doing things that quite literally have never been done before so I think that is more than good enough."
Five-time Olympic medallist Eileen Gu has dismissed a “ridiculous” suggestion that her two silver medals at the Milan Cortina Games represent missed opportunities for gold.
The 22-year-old became the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history this week after securing her fourth and fifth podium finishes.
However, during a press conference on Monday, the San Francisco-born athlete was asked if she viewed her recent second-place finishes as “silvers gained or two golds lost”.
Gu, who competes for China, laughed off the inquiry before firmly defending her record-breaking achievements on the slopes.
‘A life-changing experience’
The freestyle sensation claimed two golds and a silver at Beijing 2022 and has added two silvers to her collection in Italy so far.
Responding to the reporter, she emphasised the magnitude of her accomplishments.
“I’m the most decorated female freeskier in history, I think that’s an answer in and of itself,” Gu said.
She explained that maintaining such a high level of performance becomes increasingly difficult as external pressure mounts.
“Winning a medal at the Olympics is a life-changing experience for every athlete,” she continued.
“Doing it five times is exponentially harder because every medal is equally hard for me, but everybody else’s expectations rise, right?”
The Stanford University student has faced intense scrutiny throughout her career after choosing to represent her mother’s homeland rather than Team USA.
Despite the pressure, she remains the highest-paid Olympian at the Games, reportedly earning over $23m (£18m) in endorsements over the past year.
Record-breaking performance
Gu was unequivocal in her rejection of the negative framing regarding her latest results.
“The two medals lost situation, to be quite frank with you, I think is kind of a ridiculous perspective to take,” she added.
“I’m showcasing my best skiing, I’m doing things that quite literally have never been done before so I think that is more than good enough.”
The model and athlete has received widespread support on social media following the exchange, with fans praising her “poised” response.
In Milan, she has secured silver in both the Slopestyle and Big Air disciplines, finishing behind Canada’s Megan Oldham in the latter.
Her quest for further silverware continues in the women’s freeski halfpipe qualifiers on Thursday.
Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo has joined Michael Phelps as the only athletes to reach 10 Olympic gold medals after winning the team sprint at the Milan Cortina Games.
The 29-year-old combined with partner Einar Hedegart to secure the title on Wednesday, claiming his fifth gold of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
This victory cements his status as the most decorated Winter Olympian in history regarding gold medals.
An exclusive club
Klaebo’s latest triumph places him in a unique bracket alongside swimming legend Phelps.
While the American amassed a record 23 golds across four summer Games, no other athlete had previously broken the double-digit barrier.
The Norwegian phenomenon had already set a new Winter Olympics benchmark during Sunday’s 4×7.5km relay.
Chasing a sixth title
Klaebo will now attempt to complete a clean sweep of events when he competes in Saturday’s 50km mass start.
Victory in the endurance race would see him go six-for-six at these Games.
Achieving that feat would place him alongside Phelps, Mark Spitz, Kristin Otto and Vitaly Scherbo as the only athletes to win at least six golds at a single Olympics.