Olympic champion at 18, the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history, fashion week regular and Stanford student – Eileen Gu’s path has unfolded on a notably wide stage. While many athletes expand beyond their sport, few do so with the same reach and visibility at such a young age. From the halfpipe to the front row, her presence stretches well past freestyle skiing. Below, five things to know about the Winter Olympics star
She won three Olympic medals at 18
At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Gu walked away with two gold medals in big air and halfpipe, plus a silver in slopestyle – all at just 18. Freestyle skiing leaves little room for hesitation, demanding both technical precision and composure. Under intense global attention, she delivered. The moment didn’t just earn her medals; it cemented her as one of the breakout stars of the games.
She started skiing at three years old
Gu began skiing at the age of three in Lake Tahoe, introduced to the sport by her mother. What started as childhood exposure gradually evolved into serious training, youth competitions and eventual international success. The calm, controlled style seen in her runs today reflects years of repetition and refinement. What appears effortless on screen is built on a foundation laid long before Olympic headlines followed.
She’s a fashion week regular
Away from the slopes, Gu has built a genuine presence in fashion, working with houses like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.. She has appeared on major magazine covers and is regularly seen at fashion week. It doesn’t feel like a typical athlete sponsorship. Instead, she looks comfortable in those spaces, blending sporting credibility with a refined, modern sense of style that feels natural rather than staged.
She got into Stanford
In 2022, Gu enrolled at Stanford University after deferring admission to compete in the Olympics. Managing university coursework alongside global competitions and brand commitments demands discipline that goes far past physical training. The decision underscores her long-term mindset, showing that her ambitions extend beyond medals and sponsorships. For Gu, academic growth isn’t an afterthought – it runs alongside her athletic career, shaping a future that reaches well past the slopes.
She’s fluent in Mandarin
Though widely recognised as an American-born skiing star, Gu is equally comfortable speaking Mandarin. Growing up between California and spending extended time in Beijing, she was immersed in both cultures from an early age. She switches naturally between English and Mandarin during interviews and public appearances, connecting directly with audiences on both sides. It reflects a lived, bicultural identity that feels entirely her own.
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