'Complete overlap': Ski icon Eileen Gu criticises scheduling clash that creates unfair disadvantage

Ski star Eileen Gu has taken a swipe at Winter Olympic organisers, saying it's "not fair" that she is missing out on a three-hour training session for halfpipe as her big air final overlaps at the same time.

Gu, competing for Team China, is the reigning Olympic gold medallist in both the ski half pipe and big air disciplines. When the 22-year-old alerted organisers to the clash and asked them to shuffle the program, or to allow her to train at another time with snowboarders, they flatly told her "no."

"The halfpipe training actually completely overlaps with big air finals," she told reporters after qualifying in second place for the big air final.

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"It means I'm missing out on a full three-hour session of halfpipe training, which is really unfair and difficult for me to deal with.

"I've tried to make an effort to talk to FIS," she reiterated.

"I thought, 'Maybe I can train with the snowboarders, maybe I can get an extra hour somewhere and make this fair.' But unfortunately, no dice, so now I guess I've made big air finals. I'm very proud of it. I'm happy to try.

"I have the opportunity. Why would I not? I'm not afraid to try."

When asked about FIS' response to her suggestions, Gu said: "They just said no. They were like, 'This is not possible to do'."

In a statement, FIS communications director Bruno Sassi admitted that "conflicts can sometimes be inevitable" for athletes competing in multiple events and disciplines.

"Constructing the Olympic competition program is a complex process requiring extensive cooperation between the IOC and the International Federations representing the thousands of athletes at these Games," the governing body said in a statement.

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"Every effort has been made to facilitate the best possible training and competition schedule for athletes across the myriad FIS-governed events, but as we have already seen at these Games, for athletes who choose to compete in multiple disciplines and/or multiple events, conflicts can sometimes be inevitable."

Gu is the only female skier competing across styles in slopestyle, big air and halfpipe.

She already picked up a silver medal in the slopestyle event last week and the young star is aiming to defend her gold medals from Beijing in both big air and half pipe.

But with the disadvantage of missing out on crucial training preparation, Gu will be on a back foot when competing.

"FIS generally is a very great governing body, and they take care of their athletes," Gu added.

"This situation, I think, is really unfair because, for me, the Olympics should represent aspiration and should be all about making dreams come true, doing the impossible. That's the entire narrative of this contest.

"I feel because I'm the only person, the fact that I made big air finals should not disadvantage me for being the only woman trying to compete in three events. But unfortunately, that is the situation."

The Chinese athlete took the complaint further, posting on her Instagram about the scheduling mishap, saying there was a "100 per cent overlap" between the two events in Livigno.

"Daring to be the only woman to compete in three events should not be penalised - making finals in one event should not disadvantage me in another."