Megan Rapinoe Voices Support for Eileen Gu Amid Ongoing Controversy
American soccer legend Megan Rapinoe has publicly defended freestyle skier Eileen Gu's decision to represent China at the Winter Olympics, describing it as an excellent business decision. This endorsement comes as the athlete faces continued criticism, including being labeled a traitor by Turkish-American basketball player Enes Kanter Freedom.
Financial Incentives Behind the Decision
Recent reports from The Wall Street Journal reveal significant financial backing for Gu from Chinese authorities. According to documents reviewed by the publication, Gu and another athlete received a combined $6.6 million from the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau in 2025. Over the past three years, the pair has accumulated a total of $14 million in funding, allocated specifically to support their qualification efforts for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.
Spokespeople for Eileen Gu did not respond to requests for comment from The Wall Street Journal regarding these financial arrangements.
Rapinoe's Perspective on Gu's Choice
Speaking on her podcast, A Touch More, Rapinoe expressed understanding and approval of Gu's decision to compete for China. No shame in that game, she told her cohost, WNBA legend Sue Bird. As a World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist for the United States, Rapinoe emphasized the practical aspects of such a choice in elite sports.
The podcast hosts also praised Gu's handling of media scrutiny, particularly her response to questions about winning silver medals in Cortina. Bird described it as the best answer I've ever heard to a question like that, while Rapinoe added, I love what she said. She done bopped that man, so hard.
Gu's Justification and Personal Experiences
Eileen Gu has previously explained her decision to represent China, her mother's native country, stating she believed she could make a bigger impact with the People's Republic. However, this choice has not come without personal consequences.
In an interview with The Athletic, Gu revealed she has faced:
- Physical assault on the street in California
- Death threats
- A robbery at her dormitory
- A petition by Chinese-American parents to exclude her from Stanford University
Stanford University officials referred inquiries about these incidents to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, while emphasizing their commitment to campus safety and diversity of perspectives.
Political Context and Human Rights Concerns
The controversy surrounding Gu's decision is amplified by ongoing allegations against China regarding human rights abuses in Xinjiang province. Since 2014, China has faced international criticism for its treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, including accusations of mass detention programs and forced labor.
When questioned about these issues, Gu has maintained a cautious stance. I haven't done the research, she told Time magazine. I don't think it's my business. I'm just more of a skeptic when it comes to data in general. She emphasized needing substantial evidence and firsthand accounts before forming opinions on such matters.
China has consistently denied all allegations, describing them as groundless in official statements and asserting that workers' rights in Xinjiang are fully protected.
Kanter Freedom's Strong Criticism
Enes Kanter Freedom, whose NBA career he attributes to his criticism of China, has been particularly vocal in his condemnation of Gu's choice. The Swiss-born, Turkish-raised athlete told Fox News that Gu is a traitor for choosing to represent the worst human rights abuser on the planet despite being born, raised, and living in America.
This ongoing debate highlights the complex intersection of sports, politics, and personal identity in international competition, with financial considerations, career opportunities, and geopolitical tensions all playing significant roles in athletes' decisions about national representation.
