It's been a meteoric rise to the top of the freeskiing world for Eileen Gu, whose historic performance at her debut Olympic Games in Beijing named her as the athlete to beat in the sport. After taking some time away from skiing, Gu is poised to pick up right where she left off in Beijing when she takes to the slopes for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. 

Read more about the global phenom below.

Where is Eileen Gu from?

Eileen Gu was born and raised in San Francisco, California. Her father is from the United States and her mother is from China. While she began her international career representing the U.S., in 2019, Gu switched nationalities to compete for China ahead of the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

When did Eileen Gu start freeskiing?

Gu started skiing when she was just 3 years old. By age 9, she had been crowned champion of the USA Snowboard and Freeski Association junior group, and at 13, she began entering senior competitions.

How old is Eileen Gu?

Gu is 22 years old and was born on Sept. 3, 2003.

Which events does Eileen Gu compete in?

Gu has a formidable résumé in all three Olympic freeskiing disciplines (halfpipe, slopestyle and big air). With Olympic, world championship and X Games medals in all three events, Gu has proven herself as an athlete to beware of every time she steps onto the snow.

How many Olympics has Eileen Gu competed in?

Gu made her Olympic debut in 2022 at the Beijing Olympics when she was 18 years old.

What medals did Eileen Gu win at Beijing 2022?

At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Gu earned a medal in all three freeski events. She won gold in both big air and halfpipe, and also took home silver in slopestyle. Her historic performance marked the first time any athlete had won three freestyle skiing medals at a single Olympic Games.

How else did Eileen Gu make history at the Winter Olympics?

In addition to making history as the first athlete to win three freestyle skiing medals at a single Olympic Games, Gu became freestyle skiing’s youngest Olympic champion in history at age 18.

What are Eileen Gu’s career highlights in freeskiing?

Gu’s career highlights stretch back to her youth career, when she quickly rose to the top of the rankings. She earned her maiden World Cup victory in 2019 and grabbed two Youth Olympic medals in 2020. In her first X Games appearance, she won medals in all three of her events, including a pair of gold medals in slopestyle and superpipe. A pair of world championship titles and her three Olympic medals cap off an impressive résumé for the 22-year-old.

How many X Games medals has Eileen Gu won?

Gu has won medals in four out of five X Games competitions she’s entered. At her X Games debut in 2021, Gu won gold in superpipe and slopestyle and took home bronze in big air. Gu did not return to the X Games until 2024, when she won the superpipe for the second time. She did compete at the 2025 X Games, but a fall during the streetstyle event had her finishing off the podium in fourth place and forced her to pull out of the other events.

What are Eileen Gu’s World Cup results?

Gu has been dominant on the World Cup circuit since the 2022 Beijing Olympics. In her 12 appearances, she has 10 wins and two runner-up finishes. Although Gu primarily has competed in halfpipe competitions, she also logged a slopestyle victory at last season’s Laax Open.

What signature tricks is Eileen Gu known for?

While Gu has a loaded roster of tricks up her sleeve, there are several tricks that have become synonymous with her career. She was the first woman to land a double cork 1440 in a freeski competition and later landed a double cork 1620 during her first-ever attempt, which came during the Olympic big air final in 2022. Additionally, Gu often includes a rightside cork 900 with a Buick grab in her halfpipe and slopestyle runs.

Has Eileen Gu set any records?

At Beijing 2022, Gu set the record as freestyle skiing’s youngest Olympic champion (18) and made history as the first athlete to win three freestyle skiing medals at a single Olympic Games. She also was the first woman in history to win three medals at their X Games debut.

What impact has Eileen Gu had on women’s freeskiing?

Gu’s impact on freeskiing is immeasurable. Her performance at the 2022 Beijing Olympics catapulted her into global stardom, a platform she has continued to grow and leverage in the four years since. On the snow, she has pushed both the definition of success and the physical limits of the sport to new heights. In China, a recent surge of popularity in skiing has been credited to Gu’s success.

Will Eileen Gu compete at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics?

The qualification period for freeskiing still is ongoing, but barring injury, Gu is a predicted lock to represent China at the 2026 Winter Games.

What events will Eileen Gu ski in at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics?

Gu primarily has competed in halfpipe competitions since the 2022 Olympics but remains a wildcard for both the slopestyle and big air competitions. Multiple factors, including injury recovery, could affect Gu’s decision at the 2026 Winter Games.

How is Eileen Gu recovering from her 2025 training injury before Milan Cortina?

Gu suffered an injury in August 2025 while training in New Zealand. The injury occurred just as Gu was getting back to on-snow training after previously injuring her shoulder. While Gu has not publicly commented on her status, she posted videos of herself looking strong, skiing as recently as Sept. 18. 

What is Eileen Gu's medal outlook for Milan Cortina 2026?

Gu has looked indomitable in halfpipe competitions since 2022, making her an early favorite to defend her gold at the Milan Cortina Games. Although she’s only competed in two World Cup slopestyle events since the last Olympics, she finished on the podium both times. If Gu competes in all three events, another history-making effort certainly is possible.

Since the Beijing Olympics, Gu has taken considerable time away from skiing to focus on her academics and recover from various injuries. She will need to ensure she is in peak condition come February, but it should be hard to beat her if that's the case.

What is Eileen Gu’s net worth?

According to Forbes, Gu has a net worth of $22.1 million. In 2024, Forbes listed her as the third-highest-paid woman athlete in the world.

What ski brand and gear does Eileen Gu use?

Gu competes on signature Faction skis. For her apparel, Gu has a partnership with Anta Sports, a Chinese sportswear brand, but has also been spotted sporting various luxury brands on the slopes.

How many followers does Eileen Gu have on Instagram?

Gu currently has 2 million followers on Instagram, as well as millions of followers on Chinese social media platforms. Gu’s Instagram is filled with a variety of content representing her interests in skiing, modeling and other life updates.

What else is Eileen Gu known for outside of being an Olympic athlete?

In addition to her accomplishments on the snow, Gu has built a strong following in the fashion industry. With a roster of brands including Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co., Gu has made her impact by blending fashion and athletics. She also has been featured as a model on the cover of multiple magazines and has walked the runway at several shows.

Has Eileen Gu been featured in any popular media?

On top of her experience participating in fashion campaigns, Gu was the focus of the 2022’s “Everyday Eileen,” which followed Gu’s early career and efforts to balance her commitments to skiing, modeling, and academics. Gu also was featured in the Victoria’s Secret 2023 tour documentary.

What are some fun facts about Eileen Gu?

• As a student, Gu is studying quantum physics at Stanford University and went on an exchange program to Oxford University in England.
• Gu is fluent in both English and Mandarin.
• In August 2024, Gu competed in the Paris Marathon Pour Tous and completed the course in 3 hours, 24 minutes. The race was Gu’s first marathon.
• Gu plays the piano.

Learn more about the freeskiers and snowboarders set to compete at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.