Eileen Gu, the Highest-Paid Olympian at Milan Games, Keeps Citizenship Status a Mystery

The American-born freestyle skier competes for China despite uncertainty around her dual nationality.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:15pm by Ben Kaplan

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Eileen Gu, a freestyle skier raised in San Francisco, has become the highest-paid athlete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Despite competing for China, her actual citizenship status remains a mystery as she has declined to confirm whether she has renounced her U.S. citizenship. Gu's unique blend of athletic success, global appeal, and fluency in both English and Mandarin has translated into a lucrative endorsement portfolio worth over $23 million in 2025, dwarfing the earnings of most other Olympic competitors.

Why it matters

Gu's decision to compete for China instead of the U.S. has sparked controversy, with some critics accusing her of opportunism or disloyalty. Her case also raises questions about the citizenship rules for Olympic athletes, as China does not allow dual nationality. Gu's ability to secure substantial state-backed training support from China further complicates the picture.

The details

Eileen Gu was raised in San Francisco and began skiing at a young age, later becoming one of the world's top freestyle skiers. In 2019, she chose to compete internationally for China, her mother's home country, rather than the United States. This move immediately turned her into one of the most discussed athletes in the world. Gu has secured over 30 lucrative endorsement deals across fashion, luxury goods, sportswear, and consumer brands, particularly those seeking access to both Western and Chinese markets.

  • Gu made the decision to compete for China in 2019.
  • In early 2025, documents briefly published by the Beijing city government indicated that more than $6.6 million had been allocated for Gu's training expenses ahead of the Milan Games.

The players

Eileen Gu

An American-born freestyle skier who competes internationally for China, despite uncertainty around her actual citizenship status.

China

The country Gu chose to compete for, despite being raised in the United States.

United States

The country where Gu was born and raised, and where her family still lives, including during her time as a student at Stanford University.

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What they’re saying

“Since I was little, I've always said when I'm in the U.S., I'm American, but when I'm in China, I'm Chinese.”

— Eileen Gu

What’s next

In the next few weeks, it will be known if Eileen Gu will add another Olympic medal to her collection, competing for China.

The takeaway

Eileen Gu's case highlights the complex issues surrounding citizenship and national representation in international sports. Her ability to earn over $23 million in endorsements while competing for China, despite uncertainty around her actual citizenship status, raises questions about the rules and incentives governing elite athletes in a globalized world.