Eileen Guhas added another medal to her Beijing collection.
The 18-year-old star, who was born and raised in the U.S. to a Chinese mother and American father, won the gold medal in the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe event. The day before, she dominated the qualifying round with a score of 95.50.
Her first run scored a 93.25, her second run improved with a 95.25 and for her third run, which she tearfully kicked off, was an easy ski to accept her medal.
Canada’s Cassie Sharp, who was the defending gold medalist from PyeongChang, won silver with 90.75. Fellow Canadian Rachael Karker took bronze with 87.75.
Americans Carly Margulies, Hanna Faulhaber and Brita Sigourney were also in the Top 12 of the finals.
“It’s been really difficult, honestly,” Gu told NBC after her win when asked about competing in all three events (big air, slopestyle and halfpipe) and the nonstop physical activity since the Opening Ceremony. “I’ve been training, competing, quali[fications], finals, every single day from Opening Ceremonies ‘til now. I’m the only person who made finals in all three events. I heard somewhere that I was the first action-sports athlete to podium at three events at the same Olympics? It is mind-blowing, I’m honestly very exhausted.”
Reflecting on her Olympic debut, Gu added, “It has been more than what I had imagined. I cannot believe I’m walking out of my first Olympics with two gold medals and a silver medal. Eileen Gu, three-time Olympic medalist. Like, that’s just insane for me to think about. And that’s not even mentioning this incredible platform that this event has given me. This unimaginable amount of viewership that I’ve been able to gain and to be able to spread this message that I’ve, kind of had forever, but to have so many people actually willing to listen and are interested in listening. It just blows my mind, I’m so honored.”
The San Francisco, California, native first decided to compete for her mother’s home country of China ahead of the 2015 World Cup, according toCNN.
Gu added, “Through skiing, I hope to unite people, promote common understanding, create communication, and forge friendships between nations. If I can help to inspire one young girl to break a boundary, my wishes will have come true.”
Although she has avoided direct questions about her citizenship, Gu did provide more insight on her motivation to compete for China in anInstagrampost last Thursday.
To learn more about Team USA, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Winter Olympics, now, and the Paralympics, beginning March 4, on NBC.
source: people.com
