Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu: 2 Olympians, 2 Californians, 2 Countries

The contrasting choices of two Chinese American athletes to compete for China or the US spark debates over loyalty, money, and politics.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Eileen Gu, a 22-year-old freestyle skier, and Alysa Liu, a 20-year-old figure skater, were both born to Chinese immigrants in California and are elite athletes who won gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, their choices of which country to represent - Gu for China, Liu for the US - have generated heated debates over loyalty, with the issues interwoven with money, values, and politics on both sides of the Pacific.

Why it matters

The choices of Gu and Liu highlight the complex questions of identity, nationalism, and the role of money and politics in elite sports. Their stories reflect the broader tensions between the US and China, as well as the challenges facing Chinese Americans who must navigate their dual cultural identities.

The details

Gu, born in San Francisco to a Chinese mother, chose to compete for China, where she has landed lucrative endorsement deals and become a national idol known as the "Frog Princess." In contrast, Liu, born to a Chinese father who fled the country after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, competes for the US, a decision her father says is due to the lack of freedom in China. Gu's choice has drawn criticism in the US, with some politicians calling for athletes like her to be stripped of benefits, while Liu's success has also generated debate in China, with some praising her "free spirit" and others remaining loyal to Gu.

  • Gu competed for China in the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • Liu placed 6th in women's single skating at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
  • Liu became the first American woman to win Olympic figure skating gold in 24 years at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

The players

Eileen Gu

A 22-year-old freestyle skier born in San Francisco to a Chinese mother, who chose to compete for China and has become a national idol known as the "Frog Princess" in the country.

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old figure skater born in California to a Chinese father who fled the country after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, and who competes for the United States.

Arthur Liu

Alysa Liu's father, who fled China when he was wanted by the authorities for his involvement in the 1989 student movement, and who says he would not allow his daughter to compete for the Chinese government.

JD Vance

The US Vice President who criticized Eileen Gu for competing for China after "benefiting from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place."

Andy Ogles

A Republican Congressman from Tennessee who proposed a bill to tax 100% on athletes like Gu who compete for countries like China and Russia in the Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Today's China is stronger, and it can provide Gu with interests that cannot be realized if she represented Team U.S.A. She has the sharp judgment to pick Team China, and this is the magnetic effect resulted from China's growth.”

— Hu Xijin, Former party newspaper editor in China (Social media post)

“Chinese people still have no freedom of speech, no freedom of religion, and there are still political prisoners in China. Clearly, I wouldn't allow my daughter to compete for such a government.”

— Arthur Liu, Alysa Liu's father (Nikkei Asia)

“Everyone is entitled to her own ambition. The two have chosen different paths, and people immediately see the contrast. The contrast is so sharp that people cannot help but comment.”

— Arthur Liu, Alysa Liu's father (YouTube chat with Zhang Boli)

“Oh, my God, I think this discourse is really silly because we're both half Chinese.”

— Alysa Liu (Newsweek)

What’s next

The debate over Gu and Liu's choices is likely to continue, with potential policy implications in both the US and China. The contrasting reactions to their Olympic performances reflect the broader geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

The takeaway

The stories of Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu highlight the complex issues of identity, nationalism, and the influence of money and politics in elite sports. Their choices, while deeply personal, have become symbols of the larger tensions between the US and China, and the challenges facing Chinese Americans navigating their dual cultural identities.