Eileen Gu Conflict Draws Statement From International Ski and Snowboard Federation

Gu, who won silver at the slopestyle final on Saturday, did not hold back in criticizing the Olympics for the schedule conflict that has arisen.

“The halfpipe training actually completely overlaps with big air finals,” Gu told reporters on Saturday. “If I make finals, it means I’m missing out on a full three-hour session of halfpipe training, which is really unfair and difficult for me to deal with.”

Gu went on to say that she reached out to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to try to address the situation, but to no avail.

“I’ve tried to make an effort to talk to FIS,” she said. “I thought, ‘Maybe I can train with the snowboarders, maybe I can get an extra hour somewhere and make this fair.’ But unfortunately, no dice, so now I guess I’ve made big air finals. I’m very proud of it. I’m happy to try. I have the opportunity. Why would I not? I’m not afraid to try.”

In a lengthy Instagram post, Gu emphasized her complaints following her qualifying run for the big air final on Monday.

Gu also revealed how the FIS responded to her request: “They just said no. They were like, ‘This is not possible to do.’”

The Athletic reached out to FIS to get their side of the story. Bruno Sassi, the communications director of the Federation, issued a statement addressing the situation.

“Constructing the Olympic competition program is a complex process requiring extensive cooperation between the IOC and the International Federations representing the thousands of athletes at these Games,” Sassi said.

“Every effort has been made to facilitate the best possible training and competition schedule for athletes across the myriad FIS-governed events, 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.”

Unfortunately for Gu, competing in multiple events at the Olympics has worked against her. Her success in one event will now significantly impact her preparations for another.

Be that as it may, Gu is still considered a strong contender in both events. She will have an opportunity to win another medal in the big air final on Monday, which is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Her third and final event is the halfpipe, with the qualifying scheduled on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET. If she qualifies, the halfpipe final will be on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET.