Chinese freestyle skiing sensation Eileen Gu announced on Tuesday that she will withdraw from the upcoming Harbin Asian Winter Games due to ongoing injuries. The decision disappoints fans eagerly anticipating her return to competition at the event, which is set to begin on Friday.
Gu revealed that she initially suffered an injury during the X Games Aspen in January, where she fell during the street-style competition. Her recovery was further set back by another injury sustained during recent training sessions.
“Today, I have to withdraw from the long-awaited Harbin Asian Winter Games with a heavy heart,” Gu shared on her Weibo account, China’s popular social media platform. “I wish all the Chinese athletes the very best results and will fully cooperate with my doctors for rehabilitation treatment, hoping to return to competition as soon as possible this season.”
The 2024-2025 season is crucial for athletes aiming to secure their spots at the Milan Winter Olympics. However, according to Olympic qualification rules, results from the Asian Winter Games do not count toward the final rankings for Milan.
Despite her withdrawal, Gu has made significant strides this season. Since her remarkable performance at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, where she clinched two gold medals and one silver, she has faced recurring injury challenges over the past two seasons.
Fans worldwide are sending their support and hope to see the young star back on the slopes soon.
