Eileen Gu Honored as Grand Marshal of San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade

The American-born skier who competes for China faces backlash from U.S. fans for her jersey choice.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Eileen Gu, the San Francisco-born skier who competes for the Chinese national team, was honored as the Grand Marshal of the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade on Saturday. Gu's appearance at the parade, one of the city's biggest cultural events, has drawn criticism from American fans who see her decision to compete for China as a betrayal.

Why it matters

Gu's choice to represent China at the Olympics, despite being born and raised in the U.S., has sparked a heated debate about national identity, athlete autonomy, and the commercialization of sports. Her high-profile appearance in San Francisco further fuels this controversy, as the city celebrates one of its own who has chosen to compete for a different country.

The details

Gu, who was born and raised in San Francisco, announced her decision to compete for China at the age of 15, after spending one season on the U.S. ski team. She has defended her choice, saying it allowed her to have a bigger platform for "impact" and that she had been spending summers in China since she was 8 years old, setting up summer camps and getting to know the industry. However, many American fans have deemed her a "traitor" for the switch, and her appearance as the Grand Marshal of the San Francisco parade has only added fuel to the fire.

  • Gu announced her decision to compete for China at the age of 15, after one season on the U.S. ski team.
  • Gu served as the Grand Marshal of the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade on Saturday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Eileen Gu

A San Francisco-born skier who competes for the Chinese national team, drawing criticism from American fans who see her decision as a betrayal.

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What they’re saying

“I gave my first speech on women in sports and title IX when I was 11 years old. I talked about being the only girl on my ski team, and, despite attending an all-girls' school from Monday through Friday, becoming best friends with my teammates on the weekends through the common language of sport.”

— Eileen Gu (Instagram)

“When I was 15, I announced my decision to compete for China. At the time, I had spent one season on the US team, and had been lucky enough to meet my heroes in person. I am forever grateful for that season, and continue to maintain a close relationship with the team. I had spent every summer in China since I was 8 setting up summer camps on trampoline and dry slope for kids and adults, ranging from 7 to 47 years old, so I knew the industry was tiny. I felt like I knew everyone.”

— Eileen Gu (Instagram)

What’s next

The controversy surrounding Eileen Gu's decision to compete for China is likely to continue, as American fans and media outlets continue to debate the implications of her choice.

The takeaway

Eileen Gu's appearance as the Grand Marshal of the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, despite competing for China, highlights the complex issues of national identity, athlete autonomy, and the commercialization of sports. Her story has sparked a heated debate that is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.