Olympic freeskier Eileen Gu has responded after US Vice-President JD Vance criticised her decision to represent China instead of the United States. Vance, who led the American delegation at the Milano Cortina Games, suggested that American-born athletes should compete for the US. Gu, born in San Francisco to an American father and a Chinese mother, switched allegiance to China in 2019.
Speaking after a qualifying run on Thursday, Gu said she was 'flattered' by Vance's comments. 'Thanks, JD! That's sweet,' she told USA Today. She added that she was not offended and agreed that she had become a 'punching bag' for US political debate. 'People only have a problem with me doing it because they lump China into this monolithic entity and just hate China,' she said, noting that her success amplified the criticism.
Gu, the most decorated female freeskier in Olympic history with five medals, earlier defended American freeskier Hunter Hess after Donald Trump called him a 'real Loser' for expressing ambivalence about representing the US. 'As someone who’s been caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes,' she said. Gu reiterated that her motivation is to inspire young women, a principle she has held since childhood.
More than 15 American-born athletes have won medals at these Games for other countries, while at least 13 foreign-born athletes have medaled for Team USA. The Olympic charter allows dual nationals to choose which country to represent. Gu has not publicly disclosed her citizenship status, and China does not permit dual citizenship. She is a favourite to medal again in the halfpipe on Saturday.
