Rivals share deep respect, friendship

Thirty-five-year-old Xu Mengtao defended her Olympic title in the women's freestyle skiing aerials in Milan on Wednesday, winning China's second gold at Milano Cortina 2026 and becoming the first woman to claim back-to-back Olympic titles in the event.

At the following news conference, Xu and silver medalist Danielle Scott, who calls Xu by her nickname Taotao, praised each other, saying their long rivalry had pushed them to grow – and turned them into friends off the snow.

Xu also said she hopes they will meet again at the next Winter Olympics.

Reporter: Sun Xiaochen

Video: He Xiating