One of the most talked about American athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics isn’t even competing for Team USA.
Aileen Gu has been making waves in the freestyle skiing world for years, and she’s making her Olympic debut at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. She won medals in all three freestyle skiing events, including gold in aerials and halfpipe and silver in slopestyle. She made history by becoming the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Olympics.
advertise
Gu talks about her journey to this year’s Olympics in hour three todayDuring the show on Tuesday, February 10, she shared the “strange phenomena” on her Italian packing list. “In the Olympic Village, I brought a rice cooker because I like to eat rice for every meal and I was worried that there would be no rice for breakfast,” she revealed. “But I’m happy to report that Italy’s food game is on the right track. That reputation definitely remains intact. They do have rice for breakfast and all the other wonderful things that make Italy a foodie paradise.”
Gu continued: “I also have a milk frother, I just like to froth milk… I also have a bunch of books [and] Journal. I like reading. I won the World Cup two weeks ago in Switzerland and I haven’t been home since. My trophy is actually this big rock. It was about 10 pounds, but I couldn’t leave it behind. So, I also carry this, like a giant rock. “
Scroll down to learn more about Gu’s career on and off the slopes.
When did Gu Ailin start skiing?
Mr. Gu was born in San Francisco in 2003, his father is American and his mother is Chinese. Gu began skating at age 3 and won the U.S. Snowboard and Freeski Association junior championship at age 9, according to her NBC Olympics profile. She began competing in adult competitions when she was 13 years old.
advertise
Ms. Gu has won many accolades for her skills in halfpipe, slopestyle and big air freestyle skiing. Not only did she make history by winning medals in all three events at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she also became the youngest freestyle skiing Olympic champion at the age of 18.
Gu is one of the highest-paid athletes at this year’s Olympics, with earnings estimated at $23 million, according to Forbes.
Why did Gu Ailing represent China in the Winter Olympics?
Although Gu was born and raised in the United States, he competes on the Chinese Olympic team. In an interview with Time magazine in January 2026, Gu explained that she chose to do this to inspire people in her mother’s home country, especially girls, to take up skiing.
advertise
“The United States already has representation. I like to build my own pond,” she told the media, denying that she made the decision to make more money representing Chinese companies. “I’m delighted the sport now has enough funding for people to consider this a consideration.”
In January 2020, Gu opened up about her identity as a Chinese American in an interview with ESPN, saying: “Growing up, I’ve always said that when I’m in the United States, I’m American, but when I’m in China, I’m Chinese. I maintain that by making friends and being able to communicate with people, because that’s the best way to spread culture.”
What other achievements does Gu Ailin have besides skiing?
During her appearance on February 10 todayHost Craig Melvin pointed out that Gu had appeared in ” Fashion and timeShe works as a runway model, has multiple brand endorsements, and in addition to her skiing scores, she also scored near perfect scores on the SAT.
advertise
“First of all, I started college, so going to Stanford was really fun [University]. I also did a semester abroad [the University of] Gu added on the NBC morning show: “Oxford, so I live entirely on campus in Oxford, which is a special experience. Plus, I’ve been working in fashion since I was 14, so it’s equally satisfying to continue doing that and explore the intersection of femininity and the power of self-expression.”
She continued, “I like to joke that I took my three favorite things in the world—skiing, education, and fashion—and somehow turned it into a job. I don’t know what the job is, but I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be able to do all three of them. So, I’ll just say I’m a college student who happens to be pretty athletic.”
Why is Gu Ailing facing backlash during the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Like many U.S. Olympic athletes, Valley defended U.S. ski team member Hunter Hess after he was called a “loser” by President Donald Trump for criticizing the current political climate in the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
advertise
“I’m sorry but this title that puts the Olympics in a bad light has nothing to do with the spirit of the Olympics,” she said at a press conference on Monday, February 9, according to The Athletic. “It really goes against everything the Olympics should be.”
Many were quick to criticize her comments about Team USA’s dramatic remarks, given that she is competing for Team China in the Olympics. “Great! Now go in front of the media and criticize China! Let’s see how things go,” one X user wrote. Another added, “An American competing against her own country as the worst human rights violator on the planet. Yes, she does take the moral high ground.”
Another person tweeted: “Imagine if she said ‘disagree with a lot of things going on in China.'” Another person posted, “Athletes really should keep politics out of sports.”
Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider.
