Chloe Kim and Eileen Gu have weighed in on Donald Trump’s attack on Hunter Hess after the freeskier said he was ambivalent about representing the US during the president’s immigration crackdown.
“I think in moments like these, it is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another for all that’s going on,” said Kim, the two-time Olympic gold medalist whose parents are South Korean immigrants and who has faced racism throughout her career.
Gu, the American-born freeskier who competes for China, said after her silver-medal win in slopestyle on Monday that she had been in touch with Hess, who told her she was one of the few people who could relate to what he’s going through. “As someone who’s been caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes,” said Gu, who was born in San Francisco and whose decision to compete for China turned her into a lightning rod.
Hess drew Trump’s ire when he was asked to give his views on the immigration crackdown that has claimed the lives of two protestors in Minnesota and disrupted thousands of lives of immigrants and US citizens. Hess answered: “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US.” The next day, Trump lashed out at Hess on social media, calling him “a real Loser”.
Other American snowboarders spoke out for diversity and the right of expression. “I think there are a lot of different opinions in the US right now. Obviously we’re very divided,” snowboarder Bea Kim said. “I personally am very proud to represent the United States. That being said, I think diversity is what makes us a very strong country and what makes that so special.”
Gu called the situation “an unwinnable press war” for Hess and lamented the fact that the controversy could be a distraction for the athletes, and overshadow the beauty of the biggest event in winter sports. “I’m sorry that the headline that is eclipsing the Olympics has to be something so ... unrelated to the spirit of the Games,” she said. “It really runs contrary to everything that the Olympics should be.”
