Record earnings, Olympics’ highest paid is beautiful skier
Of the approximately 2’900 athletes who took part in the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Eileen Gu is the richest. The young Chinese champion is going strong on social media and, thanks to her popularity, has signed very rich sponsorship contracts that earn her a mountain of money. According to Forbes trade magazine, Eileen Gu in the past 12 months has earned $23 million from marketing (in addition to $100’000 in prize money in skiing).
Although the $55’000 Gu grossed in December for winning a halfpipe event in the newly formed Snow League represents a leap from the approximately $20’000 she received for winning the World Cup, the vast majority of her earnings come from sponsorships, including Chinese brands Anta, Bosideng, Mengniu Dairy and Luckin Coffee. Gu, who was part of the U.S. team at the 2018 and 2019 World Cups, recently defended her decision to uphold China’s flag, telling Time: “The U.S. already has its own team, I like to build my own space”.
Eileen Gu is not only the richest athlete, but also one of the most popular athletes at these Winter Olympics: the Chinese outfielder has more than 2.3 million followers on Instagram, very few female colleagues can boast similar numbers. Recently on the balcony of a hotel in Livigno, where freestyle skiing competitions are being held, a banner appeared with a very clear message: “Come on Eileen Gu, will you marry me?” Clearly, some fans in love with the Chinese champion decided to entrust a sheet with their proposal, but it is still unclear who is behind this gesture, and on social media the photo of the romantic gesture is depopulating.
“It would be nice if the author revealed himself, he did a very nice thing,” Chiara wrote on X. Manuela also appreciated: “Not all men are boorish and this gesture proves it, congratulations to the person who made it!” her comment. Crystal, on the other hand, is a little bit’envious: “For me no guy has ever made such a gesture, I love romance but I was not so lucky unfortunately. Marry him now!”.
