Olympians Liu and Gu Represent Differing Paths for Chinese Americans

Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu's Olympic choices spark debate over identity and loyalty

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu, both Chinese American athletes who competed in the 2026 Winter Olympics, have taken very different paths in representing their national teams. Gu chose to compete for China, while Liu represented the United States. Their decisions have sparked heated debates over issues of identity, loyalty, and the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China.

Why it matters

The choices made by Gu and Liu highlight the complex questions of identity and national allegiance that many Chinese Americans face. Their stories have become intertwined with the broader U.S.-China relationship, raising questions about the role of athletes in geopolitical dynamics.

The details

Gu, a 22-year-old freestyle skier, was born in San Francisco to a Chinese mother and has found great success and endorsement deals competing for China, where she is known as the "Frog Princess." In contrast, 20-year-old figure skater Alysa Liu, who was born to a Chinese father who fled the country after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, has chosen to represent the United States, despite warnings from the FBI about Chinese government targeting of her and her father.

  • Gu competed for China in the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • Liu competed for the United States in the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics, winning gold in 2026.

The players

Eileen Gu

A 22-year-old freestyle skier born in San Francisco to a Chinese mother. She has chosen to compete for China, where she has found great success and lucrative endorsement deals.

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. She has chosen to represent the United States.

JD Vance

The Vice President of the United States, who criticized Gu's decision to compete for China.

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.

Arthur Liu

The father of Alysa Liu, who fled China after being involved in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Any American who works with a foreign adversary has not only betrayed our country but must be stripped of all benefits from doing so.”

— Andy Ogles, Republican Congressman from Tennessee (whec.com)

“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 (whec.com)

“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, Father of Alysa Liu (whec.com)

“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, Father of Alysa Liu (whec.com)

“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 such as Ogles' proposed bill to tax athletes who compete for countries like China. The broader geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China will also continue to shape the public discourse around these athletes and their decisions.

The takeaway

The stories of Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu highlight the complex identity issues and geopolitical dynamics that many Chinese Americans face. Their choices to represent China and the U.S. respectively have sparked a heated debate over loyalty, values, and the role of athletes in broader international relations.