Canadian freestyle skier Megan Oldham, 24, made history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics by securing a gold medal in women's big air and a bronze in slopestyle. In an exclusive interview, Oldham described her victories as surpassing her "wildest dreams," emphasizing the intense preparation required to outperform rivals like China's Gu Ailing.
Oldham's gold-medal-winning first run in the big air final scored 91.25 points, a performance she credited to meticulous mental preparation during a 90-minute weather delay. "I kept visualizing my tricks and moving to stay warm," she told CGTN. "You have to adapt quickly in these conditions."
The athlete reserved high praise for silver medalist Gu Ailing, calling her a "talented skier who thrives under pressure." Oldham noted Gu's ability to innovate mid-competition kept rivals guessing: "She’s always pulling out unexpected tricks. Today, I knew I had to ski flawlessly to stand beside her."
Both athletes have become focal points for growing global interest in women's freestyle skiing. Oldham highlighted Gu's role in expanding the sport's visibility: "Having her bring eyes to our events is amazing. Many new fans discovered skiing through her journey."
