Eileen Gu 'Disappointed' at Lack of Support for Packed Olympic Schedule

The American-born Olympian competing for China says the schedule is 'unfair' and 'punishing excellence'.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Eileen Gu, the California-born Olympian who is competing for China in the 2026 Winter Olympics, has voiced her disappointment with Olympic organizers for not making sufficient accommodations to allow her the same amount of training time as other athletes in her third and final event, the halfpipe. Gu, who is the only female freeskier signed up for all three disciplines, says the packed schedule is 'unfair' and 'punishing excellence'.

Why it matters

Gu's comments highlight the challenges faced by athletes who choose to compete for countries other than the ones they were born in. As one of the highest-paid Winter Olympic athletes, Gu's complaints about the schedule could draw attention to potential inequities in how the Games are organized.

The details

Gu, who claimed silver in slopestyle earlier in the week, contacted organizers at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) seeking considerations for her competition schedule. FIS told her they couldn't make a change for one athlete because it wouldn't be fair to the rest. Gu said she wasn't asking for special treatment, just the same amount of practice as everyone else. The big air final on Monday overlaps with the first of three, three-hour halfpipe training sessions scheduled for later next week.

  • The big air final is on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • The halfpipe qualifiers are on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • The halfpipe final is on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Eileen Gu

A 22-year-old American-born Olympian who is competing for China in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS)

The governing body that sets the schedule for the Olympic skiing and snowboarding events.

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What they’re saying

“I'm disappointed in FIS. I think the Olympics should epitomize aspiration, and I think being able to do something that's beyond the ordinary should be celebrated instead of punished.”

— Eileen Gu (Breitbart.com)

“I think it's really unfair. I think it's punishing excellence, to be completely honest with you.”

— Eileen Gu (Breitbart.com)

What’s next

After Monday's big air final, the halfpipe qualifiers are on Thursday, February 20, 2026. The halfpipe final is on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The takeaway

Gu's complaints about the packed Olympic schedule highlight the challenges faced by athletes who choose to compete for countries other than the ones they were born in. As one of the highest-paid Winter Olympic athletes, her concerns could draw attention to potential inequities in how the Games are organized.