Eileen Gu stands as a global skiing superstar, yet her Olympic allegiance sparks ongoing debate. Born and raised in San Francisco, this 22-year-old freestyle skiing sensation is a double-Olympic champion, but she competes for China, not the United States.
Why Does Eileen Gu Represent China?
Gu's citizenship has been a contentious topic, given her American upbringing on the West Coast. She chose to represent China, her mother's homeland, at the Olympics. In an interview with Time Magazine, Gu explained her reasoning: she aims to help make skiing more mainstream in China, noting that the US already has ample representation in the sport.
She announced this decision via Instagram in 2019, which quickly drew criticism. Notably, Fox News host Tucker Carlson labelled the then 15-year-old as dumb for her choice, highlighting the polarising nature of her move.
Eileen Gu's Olympic Legacy and 2026 Prospects
Four years ago, at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Gu made history by becoming the first action-sports athlete to win three medals at a single Games. She secured gold in halfpipe and big air, along with a silver in slopestyle.
Additionally, Gu holds the record for the most free-skiing World Cup wins in history. As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan approach, she is widely expected to add more medals to her impressive tally, competing in women's slopestyle, big air, and halfpipe events.
Key Dates for the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Winter Olympics in Milan will feature a packed schedule, with Gu's events running from February 7 to February 21. Key dates include:
- February 4: Competition begins with curling.
- February 6: Opening ceremony.
- February 7: First gold medal events.
- February 8: Gold medal in women's Alpine skiing downhill.
- February 13: Gold medal in men's figure skating.
- February 18: Gold medal in women's Alpine skiing slalom.
- February 19: Gold medal in women's figure skating and the gold medal game in women's ice hockey, plus the first gold medals in ski mountaineering, a new Olympic sport.
- February 22: Gold medal game in men's ice hockey and the closing ceremony.
Gu's participation continues to highlight the complex dynamics of national representation in international sports, blending personal heritage with athletic ambition on the world stage.
