Eileen Gu Frustrated by Scheduling Clash Threatening Historic Triple-Event Bid

Chinese freestyle skiing star criticizes FIS over overlap of Big Air final and halfpipe training at 2026 Winter Olympics.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Eileen Gu, the 22-year-old Chinese freestyle skiing sensation, has voiced her frustration over a scheduling conflict at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina that threatens her historic bid to compete in all three freestyle skiing events. Gu, who recently secured a silver medal in slopestyle, is set to compete in the Big Air final on Monday, February 16, which conflicts with the first of three crucial halfpipe training sessions. Despite her appeals, Gu's requests for accommodations were rejected by the FIS Park and Pipe division.

Why it matters

Gu's situation has sparked debate about how sports governing bodies can better accommodate elite athletes competing across multiple disciplines at the highest level. As the only female freeskier registered for all three freestyle events at these games, Gu's case highlights the challenges faced by multi-talented athletes and the need for more flexible scheduling to support their historic bids.

The details

Gu took to Instagram to express her disappointment, explaining that the Big Air final and halfpipe training sessions are scheduled with complete overlap, forcing her to miss an entire day of crucial preparation for the halfpipe event. She emphasized that no other woman in the halfpipe field is competing in another event, and argued that reaching the finals in one discipline should not disadvantage her performance in another.

  • The Big Air final is scheduled for Monday, February 16.
  • The first of three halfpipe training sessions, each lasting three hours, is scheduled to conflict with the Big Air final.

The players

Eileen Gu

A 22-year-old Chinese freestyle skiing sensation who is the only female freeskier registered for all three freestyle events at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

FIS Park and Pipe division

The governing body responsible for scheduling the freestyle skiing events at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“No other woman in the halfpipe field is competing in another event, and for good reason – Halfpipe is different from slope and big air, and demands its own training time accordingly.”

— Eileen Gu (Instagram)

“I am proud of myself for being willing to give big air my best shot, and am looking forward to competing tomorrow night under the lights with this incredible field of women🤍”

— Eileen Gu (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.