In the midst of the dazzling spectacle that is the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, few stories have sparked as much debate and soul-searching as the saga of Eileen Gu. The 22-year-old freestyle skier, born in San Francisco to a Chinese mother, has once again found herself at the eye of a political and cultural storm after choosing to represent China for the second consecutive Games. Her decision, which first made waves during the 2022 Beijing Olympics, has only grown more controversial as her medal count—and her public profile—have soared.
Gu’s performance on the slopes has been nothing short of historic. After clinching two golds and a silver in Beijing four years ago, she’s added two more silver medals to her collection in Italy, making her the most-awarded female skier in Olympic history. But while her athletic prowess has been universally acknowledged, her choice of flag has ignited fierce criticism from some quarters in the United States, including top political figures.
Vice President JD Vance, himself no stranger to Olympic scrutiny after being booed at the Opening Ceremony in San Siro Stadium on February 6, weighed in on Gu’s decision during a February 17 appearance on Fox News’ The Story With Martha MacCallum. When asked about the skier’s allegiance, Vance treaded carefully, stating, “I have no idea what her status should be. I think that's ultimately up to the Olympics Committee. I won't pretend to wade into that.” Still, he made his personal feelings clear, adding, “I certainly think that somebody who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place, I would hope that they want to compete with the United States of America. So, I’m going to root for American athletes, and I think part of that is people who identify themselves as Americans. That’s who I’m rooting for this Olympics.”
That sentiment has echoed across social media and in Olympic circles, with critics accusing Gu of turning her back on her country of birth. Some have even labeled her a "traitor" or called her decision "treasonous," a characterization that has only intensified as she’s continued to rack up medals for China. Yet, Eileen Gu has not shied away from addressing the controversy head-on.
Speaking to USA Today after one of her events, Gu admitted, “I do [feel like a punching bag for a certain strand of American politics]. So many athletes compete for a different country. … People only have a problem with me doing it because they kind of lump China into this monolithic entity, and they just hate China. So it’s not really about what they think it’s about. And also, because I win. Like if I wasn’t doing well, I think that they probably wouldn’t care as much, and that’s OK for me. People are entitled to their opinions.”
The scrutiny has not just been public—it’s been personal and, at times, frightening. In an interview with The Athletic, Gu revealed, “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.” Her time at Stanford University has been marked by incidents of physical assault and ongoing threats, all tied to her Olympic allegiance.
The financial aspect of Gu’s career has also drawn attention. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, Gu and Zhu Yi, another American-born athlete now skating for China, received a combined $6.6 million from the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau in 2025 for their efforts to qualify for the Milan Games. Over the past three years, the two athletes have reportedly been paid nearly $14 million in total. While such figures are not unprecedented in the world of elite sports, they have fueled further debate about the motivations behind Gu’s choice and the broader phenomenon of athletes competing for countries other than their birthplace.
Long before the medals and the controversy, Gu made her intentions clear. In June 2019, she announced on Instagram, “I am proud of my heritage, and equally proud of my American upbringings. The opportunity to help inspire millions of young people where my mom was born, during the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help to promote the sport I love. Through skiing, I hope to unite people, promote common understanding, create communication, and forge friendships between nations. If I can help to inspire one young girl to break a boundary, my wishes will have come true.”
That sense of mission has been a constant theme in Gu’s public statements. In her words to The Athletic, she explained, “In the U.S. growing up, I had so many idols to look up to. But in China, I feel like there are a lot fewer of those. I’d have a much greater impact in China than in the U.S., and that’s ultimately why I made my decision.” For Gu, it seems, the choice was about more than medals—it was about legacy and the power to inspire.
Meanwhile, the political discourse around her decision shows no sign of cooling. Vice President Vance, during his Fox News appearance, also addressed the broader issue of athletes making political statements at the Games. “My advice to them would be to try to bring the country together, and when you’re representing the country, you’re representing Democrats and Republicans,” he said. “You’re there to play a sport, and you’re there to represent your country and hopefully win a medal. You’re not there to pop off about politics.” He added pointedly that any athlete who does decide to speak out should “expect some pushback.”
Gu’s story is far from unique in the annals of Olympic history. Athletes have long competed for nations other than those of their birth, whether for personal, political, or professional reasons. But in an era of heightened geopolitical tension and instant global communication, her case has become a lightning rod—a symbol of the complex interplay between identity, ambition, and national pride.
As the Milan Cortina Games continue, all eyes remain on Eileen Gu. She’s scheduled to compete in the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe final on February 20, 2026, an event sure to draw even more scrutiny and, no doubt, more headlines. Whether she stands atop the podium or not, her impact on the Olympic movement and the ongoing debate about nationality and representation is already undeniable.
For now, Gu is focused on her sport, her supporters, and her message. “If I can help to inspire one young girl to break a boundary, my wishes will have come true,” she once wrote. As the world watches, it’s clear that her journey—on and off the slopes—continues to break boundaries, spark conversation, and challenge the very definition of what it means to represent a nation.