Freestyle Skier Eileen Gu Faces Another Setback After Suffering Training Injury

Injury has forced Eileen Gu to sit out of another major competition this season.
Feb 18, 2022; Zhangjiakou, China; Ailing Eileen Gu (CHN)  celebrates the gold medal after competing in the Freestyle Skiing Womens Halfpipe Final during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Genting Snow Park. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-Imagn Images
Feb 18, 2022; Zhangjiakou, China; Ailing Eileen Gu (CHN) celebrates the gold medal after competing in the Freestyle Skiing Womens Halfpipe Final during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Genting Snow Park. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-Imagn Images / Danielle Parhizkaran-Imagn Images

Eileen Gu has continued to be the face of freestyle skiing as she's climbed her way up the ranks over the years.

However, 2025 has been off to a difficult start for the 21-year-old Olympic athlete.

During the recent X Games Aspen 2025, she took a brutal fall, leaving her no choice but to withdraw from the competition.

Following the unfortunate events, Gu shared on social media that she had suffered aggressive bruising, making it difficult for her to walk.

On Feb, 4, Gu announced that she has experienced a second injury in training, consequently holding her back from another event.

"After getting injured at the Aspen X Games, I unfortunately sustained another injury during training in an effort to participate in the subsequent World Cup competitions," Gu stated. "Today, with a heavy heart, I must withdraw from the long-awaited Asian Winter Games in Harbin."

The SI Swimsuit Model was scheduled to make an appearance at the ninth Asian Winter Games which will be hosted on Feb. 7-14 in Harbin, People's Republic of China.

Over 1,000 athletes will be present at the Games, representing 34 nations.

The exciting events will feature a variety of ski disciplines, skating, and snowboarding. The newest event this year will be the ski mountaineering competition.

According to the Olympics website, there are going to be seven venues hosting 64 events, broken down into 11 disciplines.

Although Gu will not be in attendance, there are several other skiers to watch out for, two of whom won gold at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games: Xu Mengtao and Qi Guangpu.

Gu states that she will be working on rehabilitation, though it's uncertain whether or not she is able to return this season.

Withdrawing from the Games, as discouraging as it may be, will allow Gu to focus on recovery so she can get back to her sport.


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Maria Aldrich
MARIA ALDRICH

Maria Aldrich graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Wilderness Education. While earning her degrees, she learned the fundamentals of climbing, wilderness travel, and leadership in the backcountry. These skills built upon Maria's lifelong passion for the outdoors. Following graduation, she began working in the outdoor recreation field, serving individuals with disabilities to help them access outdoor pursuits including hiking, paddling, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. The following year, Maria moved to the Adirondack Mountains in New York State to continue working towards a life of adventure and writing. She has continued rock and ice climbing, hiking in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, and paddling through various rivers while documenting her experiences through writing. When Maria isn’t adventuring in the mountains, she can be found reading a book, fishing on a shoreline, or spending time with family.