Eileen Gu, a skier born in America who represents China, competed in the women’s freeski big air event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games but could not defend her gold medal. Gu initially stood well in the competition, scoring 90.00 on her first run, which put her tied for third place. However, her second run was disappointing, as she was unable to execute a clean landing after failing to grab the tail of her ski properly, resulting in a score of only 61.25. This mishap temporarily left her out of the medal contention as the competition allowed her best two runs to count towards her final score.

In the final run, Gu performed better and earned an 89.00, bringing her combined total to 179.00. Despite this strong finish, she was edged out by Canada's Megan Oldham, who secured the gold medal with a score only 1.75 points ahead of Gu. This competition not only showcased Gu's skills but also highlighted the pressures she faces as an athlete competing internationally under the flag of China, given her American heritage.

The event has sparked discussions around national representation in sports, especially as Gu has been a subject of controversy due to her decision to compete for China, raising questions about identity and allegiance in the world of competitive sports. Nevertheless, Gu's performance and ability to rebound to take silver reflects her resilience and skill in the sport despite the ongoing debates surrounding her dual heritage.