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Controversial Olympian Eileen Gu has criticized the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) for its busy Olympic calendar, which she says will prevent her from getting the proper training sessions she needs for a freeski event.
Gu, who is representing China during the 2026 Winter Olympics, made his thoughts known after securing a spot in the big air final, which will take place on Monday. He said competing in the final will prevent him from practicing properly for the halfpipe final qualifying round, which will take place on Thursday.
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China’s Eileen Gu warms up before the women’s freestyle skiing qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
“I’m disappointed in the FIS,” she said. “I think the Olympics should embody aspiration, and I think being able to do something beyond the ordinary should be celebrated rather than punished.”
Gu said he wasn’t trying to receive special treatment, just the same amount of practice time as his competitors. She said she tried to work out a deal, including joining snowboarder training in the halfpipe. He said the FIS told him he couldn’t make the change because it wouldn’t be fair to other competitors.
Gu already won silver in Slopestyle earlier this week.
China’s Eileen Gu waits for her score while competing in the women’s freestyle skiing qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
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“I think it’s really unfair. I think it’s punishing excellence, to be completely honest with you,” Gu added. “Because I dare to participate in three events, and this makes it completely impossible to train fairly for the third event.”
The FIS scheduled three training sessions before qualifying, two more than the two held in a typical World Cup event. The organization’s spokesman, Bruno Sassi, stated that “every effort has been made to provide the best possible training” to the athletes.
“But as we have already seen at these Games, for athletes who choose to compete in multiple disciplines and/or multiple events, conflicts can sometimes be inevitable,” he said.
Gu, who was born in the U.S. but chose to compete for China, hasn’t skied in a halfpipe event since December and hasn’t competed in big air since winning gold at the 2022 Beijing Games. The halfpipe event is a little more dangerous than the other two.
Eileen Gu of China reacts after her first jump in the women’s freestyle skiing qualification during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park on February 14, 2026. (Joe Camporeale/Image Images)
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Gu will have the big air final on Monday, followed by the halfpipe heats on Thursday and the final on Saturday.
