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Eileen Gu Shares Powerful Message After Participating in 2026 Olympic Torch Relay

The freestyle skier qualified for Milano Cortina 2026 last week and will compete in February’s Winter Games.

Cara O’Bleness

Eileen Gu
Eileen Gu / Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Shortly after qualifying for Milano Cortina 2026, freestyle skier Eileen Gu participated in the Olympic Torch Relay in Viadana, Lombardy on Monday, Jan. 19. Following the event in Italy, the 22-year-old professional athlete took to Instagram to express her gratitude.

“What an honor to run the Milan 2026 Olympic Torch Relay today!” Gu wrote in her caption. “To me, the torch symbolizes strength, aspiration, and the unique capacity that sports have to bring people together - irrespective of how old they are, where they’re from, or the color of their skin. Grazie mille for the opportunity to be a part of it all @olympics 💌.”

Last Thursday, Gu announced to her 2.1 million Instagram followers that she had officially qualified for the Winter Olympics. The Opening Ceremony for Milano Cortina 2026 will take place on Friday, Feb. 6, while events will span the weeks to follow before the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 22. The women’s freestyle skiing events will begin on Saturday, Feb. 7.

This will be Gu’s second Winter Olympics, as she made her debut during the Beijing games in 2022. There, she secured two gold medals (in the women’s freeski halfpipe and freeski big air) and one silver (in the women’s freeski slopestyle). In doing so, Gu, who was just 18 at the time, became the first freestyle skier to win three medals during a single Winter Games.

Following her Jan. 19 post from the Torch Relay, plenty of Gu’s followers chimed into the comments section to express their excitement over her impending competition at the Olympics.

“It’s so inspiring to see how young athletes like you are contributing to global unity through sports,” one person wrote. “Sports truly have this incredible power to bridge divides and connect the world, and you’re carrying that torch of belief both literally and symbolically! Can’t wait for Milan 2026, it’s so much more to look forward to with you involved! ❤️🔥.”

“You carry not just the flame, but the light that connects us all,” someone else added. “So proud to see you as this symbol of unity and hope. Grazie for inspiring the world today. 🔥❤️🙌.”

Meanwhile, the official Olympics Instagram account showcased snapshots of Gu carrying the torch yesterday while also throwing it back to the athlete carrying the flame in Paris ahead of the 2024 Summer Games.

“From the peak of World Cup victories to the honor of carrying the flame—twice. Your path shows that history isn’t just made by chance, but built with consistent passion and grace,” one fan mused int the comments section. “It’s an inspiration to watch. Congrats, Eileen!❤️💪💌❄️🔥.”

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Cara O’Bleness
CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.

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