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Alysa Liu Defends Eileen Gu Over USA-China Olympic Controversy
American figure skater stands up for Chinese-American freestyle skier amid backlash over her decision to compete for China.
Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:38am
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American figure skater Alysa Liu has come to the defense of fellow Chinese-American athlete Eileen Gu, the most decorated freestyle skier of all time, who faced significant backlash for her decision to compete for China instead of the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Why it matters
Gu's decision to represent China over the US, where she was born and raised, sparked an ongoing controversy, with many criticizing her choice. Liu's public support for Gu highlights the complex issues of national identity, representation, and opportunity that elite athletes can face.
The details
Gu, who was born in the US to an American father and Chinese mother, cited the chance to make a name for herself in China and the greater impact she believes she can have there compared to competing for the US, which already has many inspirational athletes. Liu, who is also Chinese American, defended Gu, saying 'I think people are hypocritical for shaming her for representing China' and that critics would have told Gu to 'go back to China' if she had chosen to compete for the US.
- The 2022 Winter Olympics took place in Milan.
- Gu made the decision to represent China back in 2019.
The players
Alysa Liu
An American figure skater and two-time Olympic gold medalist who publicly defended Eileen Gu's decision to compete for China.
Eileen Gu
A Chinese-American freestyle skier who is the most decorated athlete in the sport, having won two silver medals and one gold medal for China at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Milan.
What they’re saying
“I think people are hypocritical for shaming her for representing China. Y'all would have told her to go back to China. Now that they're back in China, you're mad.”
— Alysa Liu
The takeaway
This controversy highlights the complex issues of national identity, representation, and opportunity that elite athletes can face when choosing which country to compete for. Liu's public defense of Gu shows the importance of supporting fellow athletes navigating these difficult decisions.
