Chinese American freestyle skiing superstar Eileen Gu delivered a powerful and dismissive response to a reporter's question on Monday, laughing off the suggestion that winning silver medals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was in any way disappointing. The five-time Olympic medalist, who has just become the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history, called the journalist's perspective "ridiculous" during a press conference.
A Historic Achievement Defended
"I'm the most decorated female free skier in history! I think that's an answer in and of itself," Gu stated emphatically to reporters. The 22-year-old athlete, who was born in the United States but competes for China, has faced considerable right-wing backlash in America for her decision to represent China at the Olympics, with some conservative critics labeling her a traitor. She has consistently defended this choice, telling Newsweek, "The U.S. already has the representation" and expressing her preference for "building my own pond."
Responding to the 'Two Golds Lost' Question
When directly asked whether she views her 2026 Olympic achievements as "two silvers gained or two golds lost," Gu initially laughed before providing a thoughtful and firm rebuttal. "How do I say this? 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?" she explained. "And so, the 'two medals lost' situation, to be quite frank with you, I think it's kind of a ridiculous perspective to take."
Her candid and confident response has since gone viral across social media platforms, resonating with fans and fellow athletes who applaud her focus on achievement over arbitrary medal colors. Gu concluded her answer by emphasizing her pioneering role in the sport: "I'm showcasing my best skiing. I'm doing things that, quite literally, have never been done before, and so I think that is more than good enough. But thank you."
Building on an Already Impressive Legacy
Eileen Gu's career is marked by extraordinary success. She previously won two gold medals and one silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, establishing herself as a dominant force in freestyle skiing. At the ongoing Milano Cortina 2026 Games, she has added two more silver medals to her collection, solidifying her historic status. Gu is not done yet; she begins competition in a third event, the women's freeski halfpipe, on Thursday, with the potential to add even more hardware to her unprecedented tally.
The Olympic Games official social media account celebrated her milestone, posting: "FIVE-TIME Olympic medallist Eileen Gu continues to break ceilings as she becomes the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history, following two silver medals at Milano Cortina 2026!" This recognition underscores the significance of her accomplishments, regardless of the specific color of the medals.
A Broader Perspective on Athletic Success
Gu's remarks highlight a broader conversation about how society measures athletic success, often placing undue emphasis on gold medals while undervaluing silver and bronze achievements. By challenging this narrative, she advocates for a more nuanced appreciation of the dedication, skill, and perseverance required to reach the Olympic podium multiple times. Her stance serves as an inspiration to athletes worldwide, reminding them that legacy is built on consistent excellence and groundbreaking performances, not solely on topping the podium every time.
