Olympian Eileen Gu Claims Stanford Attacks Over China Decision

The freestyle skier says her choice to represent China led to harassment and violence on campus.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Eileen Gu, the San Francisco-born freestyle skier who faced backlash for choosing to compete for China instead of the United States, alleges she has experienced harassment, robbery, and even physical assault on Stanford's campus due to the fallout from her decision.

Why it matters

Gu's choice to represent China over the U.S. sparked intense criticism, as many viewed it as prioritizing lucrative endorsements over national loyalty. Her claims of campus attacks highlight the ongoing tensions and political divides surrounding her decision.

The details

In an interview with The Athletic, Gu detailed a series of alleged incidents at Stanford, including the police being called, receiving death threats, and having her dorm robbed. The university has not publicly confirmed the details of her claims. Gu's decision to compete for China, where she has endorsement deals, has been widely criticized, with some, like former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, accusing her of prioritizing money over human rights issues in China.

  • Gu made the decision to represent China in 2022, ahead of the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
  • The alleged incidents at Stanford occurred after Gu's decision to compete for China.

The players

Eileen Gu

A San Francisco-born freestyle skier who chose to represent China instead of the United States, sparking intense criticism.

Stanford University

The university where Gu alleges she has experienced harassment, robbery, and physical assault due to backlash over her decision to compete for China.

Enes Kanter Freedom

A former NBA player and human rights advocate who has criticized Gu for choosing to represent China, which he says is "literally running a concentration camp".

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What they’re saying

“The police were called. I've had death threats. I've had my dorm robbed. I've gone through some things as a 22-year-old that I really think no one should ever have to endure, ever.”

— Eileen Gu (The Athletic)

“She chose to play for a country that is literally responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of its own people, and literally running a concentration camp while we're talking. It's like a play. Whenever the human rights issues are raised about China, they all stop talking about it.”

— Enes Kanter Freedom, Former NBA player and human rights advocate (Outkick)

What’s next

Stanford University has not publicly confirmed the details of Gu's claims, and it remains to be seen if the university will investigate the alleged incidents or take any disciplinary action.

The takeaway

Gu's decision to represent China over the United States has sparked intense political and social backlash, with her claims of campus attacks highlighting the ongoing tensions and divisions surrounding her choice. This case raises broader questions about the role of politics in sports and the consequences athletes can face for their decisions.