LAURA WOODS has hit out at backlash aimed at Chinese skier Eileen Gu.
The 22-year-old Winter Olympic star – who was born and raised in California – drew criticism in the US for representing China at the Games.
And she found herself under more fire for her response to a question last week asking if her one gold and two silver medals felt like two gold medals lost.
Gu laughed incredulously before replying: “I am the most decorated female freeskier in history, I think that is an answer in and of itself.
“Winning a medal at the Olympics is a life-changing experience for every athlete, doing it five times is exponentially harder.
“The two medals lost situation, to be quite frank, I think is a ridiculous perspective to take.
“I am showcasing my best skiing, I am quite literally doing things that have never been done before, and so I think that is more than good enough, but thank you.”
That response rubbed some fans the wrong way, especially among American supporters who felt betrayed by her decision to not represent her country of birth.
American Journalist Megan Basham responded to the video on Tuesday, posting: “I’m sorry, but even beyond betraying her country, this woman is awful. Off the chart levels of arrogance.
“I don’t care how many medals she has, there is nothing about her I would encourage my daughters to emulate.”
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But that response riled up British broadcaster Woods, who made a reply of her own labelling the post “baffling”.
The TNT Sports and ITV star reposted Basham, saying: “Find these takes baffling. Why is confidence and pride always reframed as arrogance?
“You don’t get to the top level without self belief. Why is it necessary to be coy about your achievements? Or is it just a female thing…
“Clearly not seen any of her other interviews before if you don’t think she’s a role model. Would love my kid to turn out like her.”
She then doubled down on the sentiment when agreeing with someone who questioned the negative leaning of the question.
She said: “Sometimes questions can be a bit clumsy – I have definitely done this, and not meant the way it came across. A lot.
“But I find it so weird how it’s garnered that kind of attack. I think she’s super intelligent and also, gloriously UN-media trained.”
Gu’s stellar Olympics saw her win silver in the Women’s big air and the slopestyle, capping it off with a gold in the halfpipe.
The tally took her to six medals in two appearances at the Games, at the age of just 22, making her already the most decorated freeskier in Olympic history.
Her fame and endorsements made her the fourth highest-paid female athlete for 2025.
