Eileen Gu expressed her feelings after being named a honoree in the Milan 2026 Olympic torch relay. The Chinese freestyle skier booked her Olympic berth after triumphing in the slopestyle at the World Cup stop in Laax.
Gu was in contention at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, earning podium finishes in all three disciplines of Freeski Park and Pipe, becoming the first skier to do so in history.
Eileen Gu Emotionally Embraces Major Role in Winter Olympics Torch Relay
Gu, inarguably one of the best freestyle skiers in the world, etched her name into the history books in 2022 by becoming the youngest Olympic freestyle champion. In the 2026 edition, she earned a major honor by participating in the Olympic Torch Relay, which has been touring Italy since Dec. 6, 2025, following the lighting of the Olympic Flame in November.
Gu shared pictures from her special day on her Instagram handle, dressed in official attire, posing for the cameras along the route and with fans who had flocked for a glimpse of their favorite skier. The 22-year-old penned an emotional note, expressing gratitude for the opportunity, which holds great value and brings people from all walks of life together. She also used the Italian phrase ‘Grazie mille,’ which translates to ‘thanks a lot’ or ‘thank you very much.
“What an honor to run the Milan 2026 Olympic Torch Relay today! 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,” she wrote.
Gu had begun her 2025-26 season with the Halfpipe win in the World Cup stop at the Secret Garden in China.
READ MORE: Eileen Gu Reacts After Qualifying For 2026 Winter Olympics: ‘We’re Going Back’
The three-Olympic-medal winner’s recent feat marked the second time Gu held the Olympic torch, having previously carried it through the streets of Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire, France, in June, ahead of the 2024 Paris Games. She was part of the 25th stage, walking through the streets of the commune, which is home to fewer than 30,000 people.
In a later interview, the skier shared that the experience was very different from competing and winning medals. She praised the welcoming community, from little children to their grandparents, and said that interacting with them was especially meaningful to her.
During her 200-metre torchbearing segment, she realized it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing her to connect with locals in a way she normally wouldn’t during vacations or routine work trips. She added that she hoped to inspire more people to experience French culture the way she did.
