Eileen Gu, U.S. Olympian Competing for China, Faces Backlash

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Eileen Gu, a freestyle skier born and raised in the U.S., has made waves by competing for China at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Despite winning medals in all three freeski events at the 2022 Beijing Games, including a historic gold, Gu is facing backlash for her decision to represent her mother's home country rather than the U.S. team. Gu has defended her choice, saying she wants to inspire people in China, especially young girls, to take up skiing.

Why it matters

Gu's decision to compete for China has sparked debate about national identity, athlete representation, and the intersection of sports and politics. As a high-profile U.S. athlete representing a rival country, Gu's actions have drawn both praise and criticism, reflecting broader tensions around issues of race, nationality, and the role of athletes in social and political discourse.

The details

Eileen Gu was born in San Francisco in 2003 to an American father and Chinese mother. She began skiing at age 3 and became a junior champion by age 9, later entering senior competitions at 13. Gu's decision to compete for China rather than the U.S. team is due to her desire to inspire people, especially young girls, in her mother's home country to take up skiing. However, this choice has led to backlash, with some criticizing Gu for competing against her own country and aligning with 'the worst abuser of human rights on the planet'.

• Gu made her Olympic debut at the 2022 Beijing Games.
• Gu won medals in all three freeski events at the 2022 Olympics, including a gold medal.
• Gu is competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

What’s next

Gu is expected to continue competing for China at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she will look to defend her medals from the 2022 Games.