In 2019, freestyle skier Eileen Gu announced she would compete for China instead of the United States, the country where she was born and raised. The decision immediately made international headlines and continues to draw attention ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Gu shared her choice in an Instagram post. “I have decided to compete for China,” she wrote. “This was an incredibly tough decision for me to make. I am extremely thankful for U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the Chinese Ski Association for having the vision and belief in me to make my dreams come true. I am proud of my heritage, and equally proud of my American upbringings.”
Why Eileen Gu Says Representing China Is About Heritage and Impact
Gu has consistently said her decision was rooted in identity and influence rather than politics or money. Her mother, Yan Gu, moved to the United States from China in the 1980s. Gu spent her school year in San Francisco and her summers in Beijing, growing up immersed in both cultures.
She explained her reasoning during the 2022 Beijing Olympics in comments to the Associated Press.
“In the U.S., growing up, I had so many amazing 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 that decision.”
Ahead of the 2026 Games, Gu told Time Magazine, “The U.S. already has the representation. I like building my own pond.” Time reported that she insisted the potential to earn more representing Chinese companies “didn’t cross her mind.” Gu added, “I’m glad that there’s enough money in the sport now for people to think that’s a consideration.”
According to Fortune, Gu is one of the highest-paid women in sports, earning more than $20 million annually.
Gu Faces Backlash Over China Representation
China does not allow dual citizenship, and Olympic athletes must be citizens of the country they represent. It remains unclear whether Gu renounced her American citizenship. That uncertainty, combined with political tensions between the United States and China, fueled criticism.
Gu addressed the backlash directly. “There are geopolitical factors at play, and people just hate China generally. So it’s kind of difficult when I’m lumped in with this evil monolith that people want to dislike,” she said. “It’s never really about me and my skiing.”
Online debate intensified as comparisons surfaced between Gu and U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu, who also has Chinese heritage but competes for Team USA. Social media users questioned Gu’s loyalty, while others praised her as a trailblazer. On Chinese social media, Gu is widely celebrated and known by the nickname “Snow Princess.”
Eileen Gu’s Olympic Success Representing China
Gu began freeskiing at age three in Lake Tahoe and initially competed for the United States. She switched to Team China in preparation for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, stating she wanted to “inspire millions of young people in Beijing — my mother’s birthplace.”
At the Beijing Games, she won two gold medals and one silver medal, becoming one of the most recognizable athletes of the event. Chinese state media outlet the Global Times called her an “idol for the whole world.”
Why American Born Eileen Gu Competes for China in the Winter Olympics