- China's
Eileen Gu narrowly won gold over France's Tess Ledeux in the women's big air freestyle. - After winning, Gu went over and consoled an upset Ledeux on the ground.
Eileen Gu continued her breakout Olympics on Tuesday in Beijing by winning the gold medal in the women's big air freestyle.
Gu, who grew up in San Francisco but chose to compete for China in the Olympics (her mother is Chinese), landed a massive double cork 1620 on her final jump of the competition, earning her a score of 94.5.
—NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 8, 2022
—CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 8, 2022
However, France's Tess Ledeux was the next to go and still had a shot at claiming gold. But Ledeux landed on one leg trying to repeat Gu's last jump and scored 73.5.
Gu won with a total score of 188.25 to Ledeux's 187.50.
After celebrating her win, Gu then went over and consoled Ledeux, who sat on the ground, appearing to cry over narrowly missing gold. Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud, who won bronze, joined in.
—Eurosport (@eurosport) February 8, 2022
According to Lukas Weese of The Athletic, Ledeux's father passed away in January, leaving the 20-year-old to compete with a heavy heart.
—Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) February 8, 2022
Later on, Garmaud, Ledeux, and Gu all posed together to celebrate their respective finishes.