Olympic freeskier Eileen Gu has responded to criticism from US Vice-President JD Vance over her decision to represent China, saying she is 'flattered' and unbothered by the remarks. The 22-year-old, the most decorated female freeskier in Olympic history, was speaking after a qualifying run at the Milano Cortina Games.
Vance, who led the US delegation at the Games, told Fox News that American-born athletes should compete for the United States. '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,' he said. Asked specifically about Gu, Vance said he had 'no idea what her status should be' and that it was up to the Olympic committee.
Gu, born in San Francisco to an American father and a Chinese mother, switched allegiance to China in 2019. She has won two golds and a silver in Beijing 2022 and two silvers so far in Milano Cortina, with the halfpipe final scheduled for Saturday. 'I'm flattered. Thanks, JD! That's sweet,' she said, adding that she was not offended and agreed she had become a 'punching bag' for US political debate.
Gu suggested the criticism was driven by hostility towards China and her success. '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,' she said. 'And also, because I win. Like if I wasn't doing well, I think that they probably wouldn't care as much.'
The Olympic charter allows athletes with dual nationality to represent either country, though Gu has not publicly confirmed her citizenship status and China does not recognise dual citizenship. More than 15 American-born athletes have medalled for other nations at these Games, while at least 13 foreign-born athletes have medalled for Team USA. Gu, who previously defended American freeskier Hunter Hess after criticism from Donald Trump, reiterated her long-standing motivation: 'I do what I do because I want to inspire the next generation of young women.'
