China's Gu defiant after missing out on Olympic gold again / Photo: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV - AFP
-
Lanier clinches badminton world title in France's golden double
-
Humanoids break records at Beijing Robot Games
-
After Wildberries, Ukraine launches drone campaign on Russia's Ozon
-
Zelensky rejects rival's call for vote, says would 'split' Ukraine
-
Padikkal, Gill half-centuries take India to 187-3 at tea
-
Zelensky rejects wartime elections, says would 'split' Ukraine
-
Cummins hails 'sharp' Australia as they get back to winning ways
-
'Keep up the spirit': Indonesian teenage 'Superman' joins wildfire fight
-
Bangladesh eye more Australia Tests to hit next level
-
Starc bags 10 as Australia thrash Bangladesh in second Test
-
Thousands expected at Sweden climate demo as election looms
-
Starc heroics see Australia thrash Bangladesh in second Test
-
Starc heroics put Australia on brink of victory over Bangladesh
-
Pegula dethrones Swiatek to book Cincy final against Gauff
-
Austrian mountain town finds niche in AI boom
-
South Korean survivor fights for workplace harassment 'justice'
-
Messi scores but Miami slump continues with loss to Toronto
-
Starc strikes as Bangladesh struggle to stay alive in 2nd Test
-
Sydney marathon unveils medal with wrong stadium
-
Prince Harry: royal misfit making unlikely UK return
-
Macron hosts Saudi's MBS for visit ranging from esports to Mideast
-
Blowing in the wind, humble balloon gets green makeover
-
Australia in control with 146-run first innings lead over Bangladesh
-
Pegula dethrones Swiatek to reach Cincinnati final
-
World No. 3 Pegula beats defending champ Swiatek to reach Cincy final
-
IndyCars zip among iconic Washington landmarks ahead of Freedom 250
-
Wyndham Clark surges clear at BMW Championship
-
Real Madrid snatch late win at Espanyol on Mourinho's return
-
Maresca says Man City must fill Rodri void after Barca switch
-
Real Madrid beat Espanyol in Mourinho's first game on return
-
Canada retaliates as trade war with US escalates
-
Olise helps Bayern past Dortmund in German Supercup
-
Fils dominates Cobolli to book Cincinnati final
-
Coach Rennie hails clinical All Blacks after Springboks Test win
-
Spurs lacked fight in dismal defeat at Brentford says De Zerbi
-
Charlton deliver blow to 'under pressure' Hammers boss Nuno
-
Inter thrash Monza to launch Serie A title defence
-
Carrick keeps calm despite Man Utd misery, big-spending Spurs crushed
-
Shambolic Spurs battered by Brentford
-
Canada's Carney stands up to Trump, despite risks
-
Pogacar wins Vuelta a Espana opening stage
-
Lens hammer Auxerre thanks to Thauvin penalty double
-
Clinical New Zealand shock wasteful South Africa in first Test
-
No singles for Serena, but she joins Alcaraz for US Open
-
Canada hits back with new tariffs after trade talks with US fail
-
Joao Pedro extends Chelsea stay with new long-term deal
-
Swedish police identify 17-year-old girl as victim in school sword attack
-
Yamaguchi to face An in hunt for fourth badminton world crown
-
Carrick keeps calm despite Man Utd misery, Sage beaten in first game as Palace boss
-
Norris clinches pole for Dutch GP
China's Gu defiant after missing out on Olympic gold again
China's freeski superstar Eileen Gu dismissed any suggestion of disappointment after missing out on another Olympic gold on Monday, saying she was "doing things that have never been done before".
Gu came to the Milan-Cortina Games targeting three gold medals but has failed to top the podium in women's slopestyle and big air.
The two-time champion from the 2022 Beijing Games has one more chance to win gold -- in the halfpipe competition.
Gu's big air silver in Livigno on Monday, behind Canada's Megan Oldham, made her the most-decorated woman Olympic freeski athlete, with five medals in total.
She was asked by reporters whether she assessed her two completed competitions as two silvers won or two golds lost.
"I'm the most decorated female free skier in history," she said, defending her record.
"I think that's an answer in and of itself. How do I say this? Winning a medal at the Olympics is a life-changing experience for every athlete.
"Doing it five times is exponentially harder, because every medal is equally hard for me, but everybody else's expectations rise."
Gu had not competed in big air since winning the event at the Beijing Olympics, where she also topped the podium in the halfpipe.
The US-born athlete, who switched allegiance to China in 2019, said it felt special to win her fifth Olympic medal just ahead of the Lunar New Year in China.
The 22-year-old said the pressure of competing in Italy was "completely different" from performing in front of a home crowd as she did in Beijing four years ago.
"I will say that kind of pressure can make or break you," she said.
"I was going in, and I felt I was representing hundreds of millions of people. And it was no joke.
"I think it was a wonderful experience, because it really lifted me to the highest level.
"It allowed me to do things that truly were impossible.... But I think now it's even more powerful, because I feel I'm here because I want to be, not just because it's the default option for me.
"I've said, if I wanted to retire and feel good about myself for the rest of my life, I could. But I don't, because I love this sport now more than ever, and I fall more in love with it every day."
B.AbuZeid--SF-PST
