Eileen Gu reveals tragic loss of grandma moments after winning Olympic gold medal

Olympic champion Eileen Gu said learning that her grandma had died is the reason why she arrived late to the press conference.

Gu, who represents China, was raised by her maternal grandmother and mum in San Francisco, US.

Aged just 22, she is already the most decorated freeskier of all time after winning gold in Sunday’s half-pipe final.

Breaking down in tears, Gu said: "The reason I was late is that I just found out that my grandma passed away.

"She was a really big part of my life growing up and someone I looked up to immensely.

"She was so strong, she was a fighter and I think what's so interesting is that a lot of people just cruise through life but she was a steamship.

"This woman commanded life and she grabbed it by the reins and she made it into what she wanted it to be and she inspired me so much."

Gu revealed that her grandma, who 'inspired me so much', was 'very sick' prior to the Winter Olympics 'so I knew that this was a possibility'.

"I didn't promise her that I was going to win but I did promise her that I was going to be brave like she has been brave, and that's why I keep referring to this theme of betting on myself and being brave and taking risks," she continued.

"It actually goes back to that promise that I made my grandma and so I'm really happy that I was able to uphold that and hopefully do her proud, but it's also a really difficult time for me now."

Eileen Gu said her late grandma 'inspired me so much' (Instagram/@eileengu)

Last week, Gu hit back at reporters who brought up vice president JD Vance's views on choosing to team with China instead of the US.

Vance said: "I certainly think that somebody who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place, I would hope that they want to compete with the United States of America."

Gu was born in America but represents China (Olympics)

Responding to the reporters, Gu said: “So many athletes compete for a different country.

“People only have a problem with me doing it because they kind of lump China into this monolithic entity, and they just hate China.

“So it's not really about what they think it's about.”

She went on to say people are more bothered about it because ‘I win’, adding: “Like if I wasn't doing well, I think that they probably wouldn't care as much, and that's OK for me.

“People are entitled to their opinions.”