Milan (Italy) (AFP) – Eileen Gu pulled out all the stops to win the gold medal that had eluded her at the Winter Olympics on Sunday, while a blockbuster men’s ice hockey final between the USA and Canada was set to close the action. US-born Chinese freestyle skier Gu had already won two silver medals at these Milan-Cortina Games, but her favoured halfpipe event always looked the likeliest to deliver the third gold of her career. She had been forced to wait when the event was postponed on Saturday due to heavy snow high in Livigno, high in the Italian Alps.
On Sunday, in blazing sunshine, Gu delivered with panache, posting a best score of 94.75 to dazzle the judges, soaring high above the lip of the halfpipe and executing her tricks with precision. She edged out her China teammate Li Fanghui, who scored 93.00, while Britain’s Zoe Atkin took bronze. In doing so, she became the most decorated freestyle skier — man or woman — in the history of the Winter Games.
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As in her previous competitions, Gu was forced to deal with self-inflicted pressure. The defending champion flunked her first run as world champion Atkin set the pace with 90.50. But Gu, who now has three Olympic golds and three silvers in total, went into the lead with her second run and improved it in the second round to the delight of a sizeable group of Chinese fans.
“Every day I was fighting,” said Gu. “I gave my all every single day that I’ve been here, and that’s no joke. In all three events I showcased my best skiing and as far as performance goes, that’s all I can ask for — to be able to show the world the best that women’s skiing has to offer at the moment, that it really counts. I’m the most decorated freeskier of all time, male or female,” Gu added. “That’s a testament to competitive strength, it’s mental strength. It’s being able to perform under pressure. It has nothing to (do with) if you’re a boy or a girl.”
– More than just ice hockey –
The men’s ice hockey tournament has produced the final that neutrals wanted, with Canada and the USA facing off for gold in a clash that goes beyond sport. Canada are eyeing their record 10th Olympic title and the first since Sochi 2014, while the USA are targeting their first gold in the event since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” When the two nations met and shared one win apiece a year ago, it was about more than just sport — US President Donald Trump had ramped up tensions with his neighbour, and continues to do so.
“We played one year ago with very similar rosters. We won one and they won one. It is the tightest hockey you will find, probably ever. It will be a great game. It is two of the best teams probably ever, and it will be one hell of a game,” US star Matthew Tkachuk added. Nathan MacKinnon, who scored Canada’s winning goal as they survived a scare against Finland in the semi-finals, said: “It’s everything. It’s the gold medal at an Olympic Games. We are very lucky to be here and it’s a great opportunity.”
Both teams are packed with talent from the National Hockey League, who have lit up the tournament in their first appearance in the Olympics since 2014. Tkachuk said: “There is just some outrageous star power on both sides, but it seems when you put all these great players on one ice sheet, it is the defence that is most noticeable and the tight-checking and limited ice.”
After the thrills and spills of the ice hockey, the Games will close in the elegant surroundings of Verona. With a handful of medals still be won before the closing ceremony, Norway lead the medals table with 18 golds and 41 medals overall. The USA are second with 11 and the Netherlands third with 10 golds.
© 2024 AFP
