Eileen Gu Continues Olympic Medal Haul, Sparking Debate

The Bay Area native who competes for China adds another silver medal to her collection, fueling her position as a geopolitical lightning rod.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Eileen Gu, a San Francisco native competing for China, won her fifth Olympic medal on Monday, taking silver in the women's freestyle skiing big air event. The 22-year-old has now won two silvers in Milan-Cortina, adding to the three medals (two golds, one silver) she won in Beijing four years ago. Gu's decision to compete for China instead of the United States has made her a polarizing figure, with critics calling her a "traitor" while she maintains that she is "American in the U.S. and Chinese in China." The University High graduate has also faced scrutiny over her lucrative endorsement deals and revelations that the Chinese government has paid her millions of dollars over the past three years.

Why it matters

Gu's success and global stardom have made her a geopolitical lightning rod, with her decision to compete for China instead of the U.S. sparking intense debate. Her massive endorsement deals and the Chinese government's financial support for her have also raised questions about the influence of money and politics in elite sports.

The details

Gu was unable to defend her gold medal in Monday's freestyle ski big air event, but rallied from seventh place to win the silver. She now has one more event, the halfpipe, on Saturday, where she will try to win gold and become the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history. Gu has faced criticism for her decision to compete for China, with some calling her a "traitor" for refusing to represent the U.S. She has also drawn scrutiny over her lucrative endorsement deals, estimated at $23 million last year, as well as revelations that the Chinese government has paid her and American-born figure skater Beverly Zhu $14 million over the past three years.

  • Gu won two gold medals and one silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
  • Gu is competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy.

The players

Eileen Gu

A 22-year-old freestyle skier who was born in San Francisco but competes for China, her mother's birth country. Gu has become a global superstar and one of the most polarizing Olympians of her era.

Beverly Zhu

An American-born figure skater who, like Gu, has received millions of dollars in funding from the Chinese government over the past three years.

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What they’re saying

“'I would say 'I didn't know I got promoted to trade minister.' It's irresponsible to ask me to be the mouthpiece for any agenda.'”

— Eileen Gu (Time magazine)

“'I'm sorry that the headline that is eclipsing the Olympics has to be something so unrelated to the spirit of the Games — it really runs contrary to everything the Olympics should be. As someone who has got caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes. I hope they can ski their very best.'”

— Eileen Gu (Unspecified)

What’s next

Gu will compete in the halfpipe event on Saturday, her final chance to win gold at these Olympics.

The takeaway

Eileen Gu's success and global stardom have made her a polarizing figure, with her decision to compete for China instead of the U.S. sparking intense debate. The revelations about her lucrative endorsement deals and Chinese government funding have also raised questions about the influence of money and politics in elite sports.