Teenager Eileen Gu nailed a new trick in the final run of the freeski Big Air yesterday, delivering host China its quickest gold rush at a Winter Games.
The Chinese capital claimed the San Francisco-born Gu as a daughter of Beijing after she pulled off an impressive "1620," a trick she had never done before in competition, to beat French skier Tess Ledeux for the gold.
The 18-year-old said she would celebrate by eating a chocolate bar by San Francisco confectioner Ghirardelli, play the piano and write in her journal before getting back to practice ahead of her slopestyle event on February 14.
Gu is also competing in halfpipe, where she is the favorite, as she goes for a golden hat-trick.
Gu's triumph, along with podium-topping performances by speed skater Ren Ziwei and his mixed team relay compatriots, briefly put China at the top of the medal tally.
The country has won three golds and two silver medals since the opening ceremony on Friday night.
Despite enormous obstacles created by the Covid-19 pandemic, Beijing's snow spectacle has triggered an early gold rush for winter sports goods in the mainland, with online purchases of equipment and clothing from brands such as Anta Sports and Descente surging.
Olympic fever has even spread to the stock market with a buying frenzy unleashed on shares linked to the Games.
Organizers yesterday said more local spectators would be invited to watch, in a show of confidence that Covid-19 is under control within the closed loop that separates Games personnel from the public.
Watching Gu from the stands was Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, whose whereabouts became a cause for international concern in November when she appeared to accuse a party official of sexual assault.
Peng was seen in the stands wearing a black knit hat with the Olympic rings on them, a black coat with the Chinese flag and a mask with the Beijing 2022 logo.
"I'm really grateful that she's happy and healthy and out there doing her things again," Gu said.
The freestyle skier was less forthcoming about whether she still holds a US passport, refusing to directly answer questions about her citizenship. China does not allow dual nationality, and state media have previously reported that Gu had renounced her US citizenship.
On a congratulatory note on its official Wechat account, the city of Beijing claimed Gu, whose mother was born in the capital, as its own.
Moments after her dazzling performance, the Chinese Communist Party's powerful graft watchdog released an exclusive interview with Gu, an unusual move for the party organ tasked to catch and condemn members who have broken party rules and ethical codes.
Gu was asked about her love for free-style skiing, the influence her mother had on her and the Chinese food she likes. Her answers to the last question: Peking duck and tomato-based hotpot.
Home favorite Eileen Gu is overcome with emotion after winning gold in freestyle skiing's Big Air final. XINHUA
