Eileen Gu, a Chinese freestyle skiing star, secured a gold medal in the women's halfpipe event with an impressive score of 94.75, successfully defending her title from the Beijing Olympics. The victory was emotionally charged, as Gu broke down in tears and collapsed into the snow upon confirmation of her win, expressing a profound sense of relief to her supporters with her words, 'I did it.' At just 22 years old, Gu has become one of the most watched athletes of the Olympics, carrying significant pressure into the final day of competition.

In the same event, Li Fanghui brought home a silver medal for China with a score of 93.00, while Britain's Zoe Atkin clinched the bronze with a score of 92.50. Gu had already won silver medals in both the big air and slopestyle events earlier in the games, making her gold in the halfpipe a crowning achievement in her successful Olympic campaign. This gold medal marks the sixth Olympic medal of Gu's career, underscoring her dominance in freestyle skiing.

Gu, who was born in San Francisco, USA, has faced scrutiny for her decision to represent China in international competitions, drawing criticism from figures including the Vice President of the United States. Despite this, her achievements on the slopes have captivated a global audience, illustrating the complexities of national representation in sports and the personal narratives that athletes carry with them.