Standout Winter Olympian Eileen Gu is receiving a lot of support after a tough personal loss at the 2026 Games.
Gu, who won gold in the women's halfpipe on Sunday, has now won six Olympic medals across the 2022 and 2026 Games. Unfortunately, though, she experienced a tough personal loss on Sunday. Her grandmother passed away.
"Because I promised her I would be brave like her 🤍🕊️," she wrote on Instagram.
Gu learned of her grandmother's death shortly after winning gold in the freestyle skiing halfpipe competition.
"She was a steamship," Gu said. "This woman commanded life, and she grabbed it by the reins, and she made it into what she wanted it to be."
Gu, born in the U.S. but competing for China, admired everything about her grandmother.
"She inspired me so much," Gu said. "The last time I saw her before I came to the Olympics, she was very sick, so I knew that this was a possibility. I didn't probably say that I was going to win, but I did promise her that I was going to be brave. She's been brave."
Fans sending thoughts to Gu
Fans are sending their thoughts and tributes to Gu following the loss of her grandmother on Sunday.
"Sending love ❤️," one fan wrote.
"Angel in the sky 💫 she’s in good hands 🤍," one fan added.
"I love you❤️ i’m so sorry eileen she was the best," one fan added.
"You made her so proud 🤍🤍," one fan added.
"Heartbreaking. Thinking of you today," one shared.
Our thoughts are with her friends and family members during this difficult time on Sunday evening.