Patriotism and its Enemies: The Jack Hughes-Eileen Gu Olympics Debate

The Olympics highlight the enduring power of national loyalty versus the cosmopolitan ideal.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The 2026 Winter Olympics featured a philosophical divide between American hockey player Jack Hughes, who proudly represented the U.S., and American-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who competed for China. This difference reflects broader debates in American society over the value of patriotism, national borders, and cultural identity versus a more cosmopolitan worldview.

Why it matters

The contrasting attitudes of Hughes and Gu speak to fundamental questions about the role of national loyalty, the meaning of borders, and the balance between individual identity and cultural belonging. These issues underlie many of the political and social divisions in the U.S., from immigration policy to historical education to the status of the English language.

The details

Jack Hughes, who won a gold medal for the U.S. hockey team, openly expressed his patriotism and love of country. In contrast, Eileen Gu, the American-born gold medalist who competed for China, embodied a more cosmopolitan ideal that resists strong national allegiances. This difference reflects a longstanding tension between those who see loyalty to one's nation as essential, and those who view patriotism as narrow-minded in favor of a more global perspective.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics took place in February 2026.
  • A few weeks prior, the controversy over 'Western civilization' occurred at the Munich Security Conference.

The players

Jack Hughes

An American hockey player who won a gold medal competing for the U.S. team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and openly expressed his patriotism and love of country.

Eileen Gu

An American-born freestyle skier who won a gold medal competing for China at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and exemplified a more cosmopolitan ideal that resists strong national allegiances.

Marco Rubio

A U.S. Senator who argued at the Munich Security Conference that we must fight for Western civilization.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A U.S. Congresswoman who at the Munich Security Conference rendered 'Western culture' in sneer quotes, suggesting it is a fiction or contemptible concept.

Diogenes

A fourth-century BC Cynic philosopher who rejected all conventions and declared himself a 'citizen of the world', a radical statement at the time.

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What they’re saying

“When he was asked where he came from, he replied, 'I am a citizen of the world.'”

— Diogenes, Cynic philosopher

“Patriotism as a sentiment is bad and harmful; as a doctrine it is stupid.”

— Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer

“We must fight for Western civilization.”

— Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator (Munich Security Conference)

“'Western culture'”

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, U.S. Congresswoman (Munich Security Conference)

What’s next

The debate over patriotism and cosmopolitanism is likely to continue, with the Olympics serving as a high-profile stage for these competing worldviews.

The takeaway

The Olympics highlight the enduring power of national loyalty, even in an increasingly globalized world. While cosmopolitanism offers an idealistic vision, most people maintain a deep attachment to their home and culture that cannot be easily discarded.