NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Eileen Gu has sparked controversy over her decision to represent China instead of the United States.
Born in San Francisco, Gu made the decision in 2019 to compete for China and defended his choice ahead of this year’s Olympic Games. Gu’s mother was born in China and earned her master’s degree there.
The decision has drawn backlash online and on camera from numerous people. However, Gu recently claimed that some have taken it too far, including being “physically assaulted in the street.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Silver medalist Eileen Gu of China poses for photos after the freestyle skiing awards ceremony for the women’s freeski big air event at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Livigno, Italy, on February 16, 2026. (Wang Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images)
“The police were called. I’ve had death threats. I’ve had my dorm robbed,” Gu told The Athletic. “I’ve been through some things as a 22-year-old that I really think no one should ever have to endure, ever.”
Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday on Pakinomist Channel that he “would hope” that someone born in the United States would want to represent the United States
Eileen Gu (CHN) celebrates the gold medal after competing in the Freestyle Skiing Women’s Halfpipe Final during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Genting Snow Park. (Danielle Parhizkaran/USA TODAY Sports)
OLYMPIAN ENDS WITH MICHAEL PHELPS IN RARE GOLD MEDAL TERRITORY AFTER WINNING 10TH EVENT
“I certainly think that someone who grew up in the United States and enjoyed our education system, the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place, I hope they will compete with the United States,” Vance said on “The Story With Martha MacCallum.”
“So I will root for American athletesI think part of it is people identifying themselves as Americans. That’s who I’m going for in this Olympics.”
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom took it a step further, calling Gu a “traitor.” Kanter has been outspoken against China, its alleged human rights abuses and the NBA for its ties to the country.
“She was born in America. She was raised in America, lives in America and chooses to compete against her own country for, literally, the worst human rights violator on the planet, China. She built her fame in a free country and then chooses to represent an authoritarian regime,” Freedom said.
“She chose to play for a country that is literally responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of its own people and is literally running a concentration camp as we speak,” Freedom said, comparing Gus’ silence on the issue to LeBron James’ rejection of a question about China’s alleged human rights abuses in 2019.
Silver medalist Eileen Gu of China attends the freestyle skiing prize ceremony for the women’s freeski big air event at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Livigno, Italy, on February 16, 2026. (Hongxiang/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Gu is the most decorated female Olympic freestyle skier of all time, but just fell short in Milan, settling for two silver medals. She won two golds in Beijing.
