Eileen Gu, the remarkable Olympic freeskier, recently reacted to criticism from Vice President JD Vance regarding her choice to compete for China rather than the United States. Gu, only 22, has already made history as the most decorated female freeskier in the Olympics, boasting five medals, including two golds and a silver from the 2022 Beijing Games.
Born in San Francisco to an American father and a Chinese mother, Gu made headlines when she opted to represent China in 2019. This decision has sparked heated debates, especially in light of her staggering success on the snow.
In an interview with Fox News, Vance stated, “I think American-born athletes should represent the US.” He mentioned that he roots for athletes who identify as American, leaving some ambiguity about Gu’s status. Gu humorously responded, “I’m flattered. Thanks, JD! That’s sweet.” She emphasized that she’s not offended by the comments and feels she’s become a focal point in a larger political debate.
Gu pointed out that many athletes switch countries, and that the attention on her is often mixed with negative perceptions about China. “It’s not really about what they think it’s about,” she said. She acknowledged that if her performance weren’t so stellar, fewer people would care.
Interestingly, the Olympic framework allows athletes with dual nationality to choose their representation. Gu has stayed tight-lipped about her citizenship status, as China doesn’t recognize dual citizenship.
According to a report, more than 15 American-born athletes have won medals for other countries in recent Olympics, while at least 13 foreign-born athletes have medaled for Team USA. This reflects an evolving landscape in sports nationalism, where talent often transcends borders.
Gu’s ambition isn’t just about medals; she wants to inspire the next generation. She explained, “I do what I do because I want to inspire the next generation of young women.” This passion has driven her career since childhood.
While the political debate continues around her choices, Gu hopes people embrace the true spirit of the Olympics, which is unity and camaraderie through sport. “If they want to focus on the wrong things, they just have a sad little life,” she stated, emphasizing her focus on positivity and inspiration for future athletes.
For a deeper dive into her journey and the complexities of national representation in sports, check out more from Time and NBC Bay Area.
