Gu, who said she had seen Zhu at training a few days ago, praised the figure skater’s “good character”, adding she was very impressed with her performance on the ice.

“Of course, everyone hopes she can get better results, but she is the one who most wants to get the best results, so I hope everyone can better understand her condition,” she said.

Gu called for better behaviour and more understanding of the fact that athletes cannot always perform their best.

“The most important thing is that she is safe and that she enjoys the process,” Gu said.

China’s Eileen Gu ‘so honoured’ to win gold, hails unifying power of sport

This is not the first time the gold medallist has responded to the controversy. Gu responded on Instagram to comment on the issue on Monday, stating that “over 90% of comments are positive and uplifting”.

“It [falling] is part of the sport and everyone understands that,” she wrote.

Zhu first drew criticism online for tumbling and crashing into the wall during Sunday’s women’s short programme team event, with the abuse intensifying after Zhu fell and finished last again during Monday’s free skate event.

Born in the United States, Zhu renounced her American citizenship in 2018 to represent China.

Users have also criticised her lack of Chinese-speaking skills, and claimed she only got her place in the Chinese team because of her father Zhu Songchun’s connections.

The renowned computer scientist, who specialises in artificial intelligence, returned to China in 2020 from the University of California, Los Angeles, to teach at Tsinghua University and Peking University.

Gu is the latest person to publicly defend Zhu, after teammate Jin Boyang and former editor-in-chief of the tabloid Global Times Hu Xijin came to her defence.

Zhu will make another appearance on February 15, where she will compete in the women’s single skating short programme.