Eileen Gu Gets Hero's Welcome in Hometown of San Francisco

The Olympic star served as Grand Marshal of the city's Chinese New Year Parade.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Olympic freestyle skiing champion Eileen Gu returned to her hometown of San Francisco on Saturday to serve as the Grand Marshal of the city's annual Chinese New Year Parade. Gu, who chose to represent China rather than the United States in the last two Winter Olympics, was greeted with loud cheers and enthusiasm from the crowd as she rode through the streets of Chinatown in a red Mustang convertible.

Why it matters

Gu's decision to compete for China sparked some criticism in the U.S., but in her hometown of San Francisco, the atmosphere was one of celebration and pride as the city embraced its native daughter. The Chinese New Year Parade is one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations outside of Asia, making Gu's role as Grand Marshal a significant honor.

The details

As Gu's car made its way through the parade route, spectators leaned against barricades and lifted their phones to capture a glimpse of the Olympic champion. Parents lifted children onto their shoulders to get a better view, and cheers followed Gu's car along the way. Among the crowd were excited middle school students from Gu's alma mater, Katherine Delmar Burke School, cheering on their school's most famous alum.

  • On Saturday evening, March 8, 2026, Eileen Gu served as the Grand Marshal of San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade.
  • Gu graduated from Katherine Delmar Burke School in San Francisco in 2017.

The players

Eileen Gu

An Olympic freestyle skiing star who was born in San Francisco and chose to represent China rather than the United States in the last two Winter Olympics, sparking some criticism but also widespread acclaim for her athletic achievements.

Katherine Delmar Burke School

The San Francisco middle school that Eileen Gu graduated from in 2017, and whose students were among the excited spectators cheering her on during the Chinese New Year Parade.

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What they’re saying

“This is a special thing to be Grand Marshal and be part of it.”

— Eileen Gu (ABC7 in San Francisco)

“Growing up in San Francisco, the Chinatown atmosphere is so special. Every time I see the lanterns hanging and smell the food and see the people walking around, it reminds me of home.”

— Eileen Gu (ABC7 in San Francisco)

“Chinese New Year is probably the biggest holiday in Chinese culture. I remember growing up making dumplings with my mom and grandma in San Francisco and learning how to roll the dough.”

— Eileen Gu (ABC7 in San Francisco)

“I wish everybody a magical, wonderful and prosperous Year of the Horse...a lot of health to everybody and their families and just joy.”

— Eileen Gu (ABC7 in San Francisco)

The takeaway

Eileen Gu's homecoming in San Francisco was a celebration of her diverse identity and the city's embrace of its native daughter, despite the ongoing debates about her Olympic allegiance. The enthusiastic response from the crowd at the Chinese New Year Parade underscores the pride and connection Gu still feels for her hometown, even as she has risen to global fame.