New York Times Criticized for Eileen Gu Headline

The newspaper's coverage of the Chinese-American Winter Olympian has sparked controversy online.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The New York Times is facing backlash for its headline and coverage of Chinese-American Winter Olympian Eileen Gu. Gu, 22, won two silver medals and one gold medal competing for China at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. While Gu was born in the U.S., her decision to compete internationally for China has been controversial, with some fans criticizing the Times' praise of her accomplishments.

Why it matters

Gu's choice to represent China over the U.S. has been a source of debate, with some arguing dual citizenship should not be allowed in the Olympics. The Times' coverage of Gu has highlighted the complexities around nationality, identity, and athlete representation on the global stage.

The details

The Times' sports section, The Athletic, published an article with the headline "Inside the mind of Eileen Gu, Winter Olympics superstar - and so much more..." The piece praised Gu's athletic achievements, describing her as a "freak of nature" and "extraordinary in every sense of the word." However, some fans have taken issue with the Times' coverage, arguing the newspaper is "pushing the story line of Gu" while not giving similar attention to other athletes who compete for countries other than their birth nation.

  • Gu won two silver medals and one gold medal at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy.
  • The New York Times article was published on February 26, 2026.

The players

Eileen Gu

A 22-year-old Chinese-American Winter Olympian who won six total medals, including two silvers and one gold, competing for China in the 2026 Winter Games.

The New York Times

A major American newspaper that has faced criticism for its coverage of Eileen Gu and her decision to compete for China instead of the United States.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Eileen Gu's decision to compete for China instead of the United States has sparked a complex debate around nationality, identity, and athlete representation in the Olympics. The New York Times' coverage of Gu has highlighted the polarizing nature of this issue, with some fans criticizing the newspaper's perceived favoritism towards the athlete.